# Fatal NTSB investigations: Lycoming AEIO-540 series

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ERA25FA231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA231.md): Pitts S2 · Broadway, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Jun 20, 2025 · N79AV · Substantial damage
  > On June 20, 2025, at 0900 eastern daylight time, a Pitts Aerobatics S-2B, N79AV, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Broadway, North Carolina. The private pilot and the commercial pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was…
- [NTSB ERA25FA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA185.md): MX Aircraft Tech PTY MXS · Hampton, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 24, 2025 · N530RH · Substantial damage
  > A counterweight plug that loosened during the accident flight, jammed the elevator, and resulted in loss of control during landing.
- [NTSB ERA24FA391](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA391.md): Aviat S-1-11B · Chapmansboro, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 23, 2024 · N5111B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of airplane control while performing an aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in the airplane entering an inverted flat spin at an altitude too low for recovery.
- [NTSB WPR24FA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA156.md): Extra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L · Bandera, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 19, 2024 · N22MW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue flight into icing conditions and inclement weather, which likely led to spatial disorientation when he attempted to divert from the planned course to the destination airport.
- [NTSB WPR22FA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA240.md): Extra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L · Boulder City, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 3, 2022 · N343BH · Destroyed
  > The failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane by exceeding the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering in a turning climb at a low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin from which the pilot was unable to…
- [NTSB CEN20WA408](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20WA408.md): Raven Aircraft Corppration Raven · Moosburg an der Isar, Germany · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Sep 19, 2020 · N651RA · Destroyed
- [NTSB CEN19FA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA270.md): Pitts S2 · New Orleans, LA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 16, 2019 · N600DF · Destroyed
  > A loss of control for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB CEN16WA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16WA160.md): Extra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L · Cozumel, Mexico · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Apr 17, 2016 · N13DK · Destroyed
  > On April 17, 2016, at 1940 UTC, an Extra EA300, N13DK, impacted terrain at Cozumel International Airport (MMCZ) in Cozumel, Mexico. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. This investigation is under the jurisdiction…
- [NTSB CEN15FA282](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA282.md): Christen Industries Pitts S-2B · Cameron, MO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 27, 2015 · N877UP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during a low-level aerobatic flight maneuver.
- [NTSB WPR12LA407](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA407.md): Moore Edward R MXS · Borrego Springs, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 8, 2012 · N21MX · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inability to maintain control of the airplane following the loss of aileron and elevator control due to the forward flight control torque tube assembly’s detachment from the forward bearing. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate…
- [NTSB WPR12FA155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12FA155.md): Extra Flugzeugbau EA-300 · Salinas, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 8, 2012 · N45R · Substantial damage
  > A loose portable XM-GPS antenna that migrated to the tail section of the airplane and jammed the elevator bell crank. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to account for the cockpit portable GPS antenna during preflight or postflight…
- [NTSB CEN10RA579](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10RA579.md): Zivko Aeronautics Edge 540 · Toledo, Spain · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Aug 17, 2010 · N540WC · Destroyed
  > import
- [NTSB WPR09LA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA203.md): Extra EA-300 · Santa Barbara, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 20, 2009 · N101PK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain for undetermined reasons while performing aerobatics.
- [NTSB ERA09LA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA188.md): MXR Technologies MX2 · Dade City, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 9, 2009 · N262MX · Substantial damage
  > An in-flight loss of aircraft control for an undetermined reason.
- [NTSB DEN08FA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08FA100.md): Extra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L · Gothenburg, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 5, 2008 · N12XT · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control after encountering instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's recent usage of Marihuana, his impaired judgement and decision making, and the low visibility weather…
- [NTSB LAX08FA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08FA134.md): Extra Flugzeugproduktions-GMBH EA-300/L · Queen Creek, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 9, 2008 · N133EE · Substantial damage
  > The loss of aircraft control due to an undetermined rudder malfunction.
- [NTSB NYC07FA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07FA007.md): Extra Flugzeugbau Gmbh 300 · Culpeper, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 14, 2006 · N168EX · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s disorientation while performing an aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in the airplane’s inadvertent impact with the ground. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s overuse of prescription medication.
- [NTSB DEN07FA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07FA003.md): Extra Flugzeugbau EA 300/L · Tucumcari, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 4, 2006 · N300BB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during aerobatic flight, resulting in an inadvertent accelerated stall. Contributing factors include the low altitude for recovery from the loop and the high density altitude.
- [NTSB ANC06LA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06LA026.md): Extra Flugzeugbau 300S · Greenfield, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 21, 2006 · N124X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the base leg to final approach phase of a VFR landing pattern, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and an uncontrolled descent. A factor contributing to the accident was the inadvertent stall/mush.
- [NTSB DFW05FA242](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05FA242.md): Akro Tech Aviation Inc. Giles G-300 · Yukon, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 18, 2005 · N300NW · Destroyed
  > The catastrophic separation of the canopy as result of the failure of the forward canopy hinge while performing aerobatics and the subsequent incapacitation of the pilot.
- [NTSB FTW04FA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04FA054.md): Piper PA-32R-301 · Beaumont, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 3, 2004 · N396HP · Destroyed
  > The flight instructor's failure to maintain clearance with a static line. Contributing factors were the low cloud ceiling weather conditions and night light conditions.
- [NTSB NYC04LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA006.md): Extra Flugzeugbau EA-300L · Queen Anne, MD · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 12, 2003 · N18NL · Destroyed
  > The pilot's performance of aerobatic maneuvers with positive and negative Gs, which resulted in a G induced loss of control, and uncontrolled impact with the ground.
- [NTSB CHI04LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA007.md): Aviat Pitts S-2B · Cromwell, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 10, 2003 · N68PS · Destroyed
  > The altitude/clearance not maintained by the pilot while performing aerobatic maneuvers. Contributing factors were the planning/decision to perform an aerobatic maneuver at a low altitude.
- [NTSB NYC04LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA004.md): Pfeifler Edge-540 · Warrenton, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 7, 2003 · N540SH · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while performing aerobatic maneuvers.
- [NTSB DEN03FA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03FA074.md): Christen Industries Pitts S-2B · Longmont, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 26, 2003 · N399DB · Destroyed
  > the pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision that resulted in fuel exhaustion and his entering an aerobatic maneuver with insufficient altitude. Factors contributing to the accident were the low airspeed and low altitude, and the fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB NYC03FA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03FA088.md): Aviat Pitts S-2B · Newport, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 24, 2003 · N6085U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to perform aerobatics at a low altitude, which inhibited his ability to recover from an encountered flat spin. A factor related to the accident was the aft center of gravity, which was beyond the operational limit for the…
- [NTSB MIA03FA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03FA050.md): Extra Flugzeugbau EA300/L · Golden Gate, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 31, 2003 · N33KL · Destroyed
  > The airplane's entry into a near vertical descent for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a collision with terrain during the resultant descent.
- [NTSB LAX02FA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02FA003.md): Edge 540 · San Juan Capist, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 11, 2001 · N541TW · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate terrain/object altitude clearance while intentionally performing low level aerobatics, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control.
- [NTSB NYC01FA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01FA212.md): Pitts S-2B · Shirley, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 21, 2001 · N225SD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot under instruction's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, and the flight instructor's inadequate remedial action during a simulated engine-out approach, which resulted in an inadvertent stall, and subsequent ground impact.
- [NTSB MIA01FA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA01FA041.md): Christen Industries Pitts S-2B · Weston, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 14, 2000 · N260DB · Substantial damage
  > An inflight loss of control by both pilots while maneuvering, which resulted in an inverted flat spin, an uncontrolled descent, and an impact with terrain/water. A factor contributing to the accident was the failure of both pilots to ensure that the…
- [NTSB ATL96LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA025.md): Moravan Zlin Z50 LA · Springfield, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 20, 1995 · N6660B · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft.
- [NTSB FTW95LA384](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA384.md): Johnson Rebel 300 · Keenesburg, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 9, 1995 · N36DJ · Destroyed
  > Inadvertent stall during approach. A factor was the pilot's lack of total experience in make and model.
- [NTSB SEA91FA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA203.md): Christen Industries Pitts S-2B · Scappoose, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 10, 1991 · N77PW · Destroyed
  > The pilot's misjudgment of altitude, while performing an aerobatic maneuver, and his failure to maintain ground clearance.
- [NTSB CHI90DEV07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DEV07.md): Pitts S2B · Springfield, IL · Accident · 2 fatal · Final report · Aug 5, 1990 · N260RM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain flying speed and allowed the aircraft to stall during the break turn to downwind.
- [NTSB FTW86FA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FA027.md): Cessna 172B · Caddo Mills, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 28, 1985 · N6876X · 2 aircraft · Destroyed
  > Mid-air occurred at uncontrolled arpt with the S-2B executing rt traffic, as published, and the C-172 executing a long final or an arcing lft turn to final. Both acft were attempting to land on rwy 17R. Acdt occurred during late afternoon and there was…

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.engine_model_code IN ('41568'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?engine=41568&fatal=1

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OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.