Fatal NTSB investigations: Lycoming IO-320 series

126 cases on aircraft whose registry engine model is Lycoming IO-320 series. Aircraft are matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model, so older matches can be wrong.

Cases per year

19642026
Fatal NTSB investigations: Lycoming IO-320 series per year, 1964–2026: 126 cases
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Latest cases

Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "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 ('41509'))
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

NTSB CEN26FA064Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportPiper PA-30 · West Chicago, ILOn December 17, 2025, about 1349 central standard time, a Piper PA-30 airplane, N8693Y, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near West Chicago, Illinois. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was…Dec 17, 2025 · N8693Y · Substantial damageNTSB CEN23FA284Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Sherman, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain control during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. Contributing was the pilot’s failure to feather the left propeller following the loss of engine power.Jul 8, 2023 · N4743M · Substantial damageNTSB ERA23FA274Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Claxton, GAThe flight crew’s improper fuel management, which resulted in the airplane’s right engine being starved of fuel and its subsequent total loss of power.Jun 25, 2023 · N7240Y · Substantial damageNTSB ERA23FA270Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Ebensburg, PAThe pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.Jun 17, 2023 · N7628Y · DestroyedNTSB ERA23FA260Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportVans RV6 · Colonial Beach, VAThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.Jun 7, 2023 · N835BC · DestroyedNTSB ERA23FA067Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Winston-Salem, NCContamination and/or misalignment of the regulator section of the right engine’s fuel servo, which resulted in excessive idle fuel flow and a total loss of engine power. Also causal was the pilot's failure to land immediately on the nearest runway at the…Nov 19, 2022 · N7295Y · Substantial damageNTSB CEN22FA145Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Pond Creek, OKThe pilot’s loss of control of the airplane, resulting in an in-flight breakup.Mar 17, 2022 · N8357Y · DestroyedNTSB ERA22FA047Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA30 · Rock Hill, SCThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while troubleshooting a landing gear indication, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at low altitude.Nov 5, 2021 · N8924Y · Substantial damageNTSB CEN20LA399Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV9 · Zeeland, MIThe pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed during a visual approach in dark night conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of recent flight experience at night.Sep 19, 2020 · N94KJ · DestroyedNTSB ERA19FA170Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA 30 · Naples, FLIncapacitation of the pilot due to a birdstrike through the windshield in front of the pilot's position, while on approach to land.May 11, 2019 · N7650Y · DestroyedNTSB CEN19FA035Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 30 · Marion, INThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack following a loss of the left engine power shortly after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low for recovery. Contributing to the accident was the loss of left…Nov 29, 2018 · N7751Y · DestroyedNTSB WPR18FA237Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportChampion 7KCAB · Descanso, CAThe pilot's decision to enter a spin without sufficient altitude to recover. Also causal to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight weight and balance calculations, which placed the airplane outside the normal and acrobatic category flight envelope,…Aug 22, 2018 · N1682G · Substantial damageNTSB CEN17FA297Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA30 · Topeka, KSThe failure of the pilot and flight instructor to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering in the traffic pattern.Aug 1, 2017 · N22HW · DestroyedNTSB WPR17FA108Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 30 · Haines, AKThe pilot's decision to turn toward the inoperative engine after conducting a low-level pass, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at too low an altitude to recover. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to perform the flight and the engine…May 27, 2017 · N7376Y · Substantial damageNTSB CEN17FA169Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportChampion 7KCAB · Collinston, LAThe failure of the flight instructor and the commercial pilot to maintain adequate clearance from a power line during an aerial application training flight.Apr 30, 2017 · N1899G · DestroyedNTSB CEN16FA276Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 30 · Plainfield, ILThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during an en route climb near convective activity, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, an uncontrolled descent, and a subsequent in-flight breakup due to an exceedance of the airplane's design load…Jul 21, 2016 · N7409Y · DestroyedNTSB CEN16FA014Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportZidek Vans RV-4 · Cortland, NEThe pilot's decision to intentionally maneuver at a low altitude and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the climbing right turn, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall.Oct 17, 2015 · N999ZF · DestroyedNTSB ERA15FA378Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 30 · St. Petersburg, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain single-engine minimum controllable airspeed following a loss of right engine power during initial climb. Also causal was the loss of right engine power for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the…Sep 30, 2015 · N21ND · Substantial damageNTSB WPR15FA081Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportGibbs Lancair 320 · Van Nuys, CAThe pilot's improper decision to take off despite low fuel alerts, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, his subsequent failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which…Jan 9, 2015 · N7ZL · Substantial damageNTSB CEN15LA059Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRoss H/Herriott M Vans Aircraft RV 3 · Las Cruces, NMThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control, which resulted in a stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to obtain adequate familiarization in the accident airplane type before the accident.Nov 24, 2014 · N625ZH · DestroyedNTSB ERA14FA077Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Biglerville, PAThe noninstrument-rated pilot's spatial disorientation after inadvertently encountering instrument meteorological conditions at night and his subsequent loss of airplane control.Dec 26, 2013 · N8372Y · DestroyedNTSB CEN13FA432Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Amarillo, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control after a loss of left engine power due to water-contaminated fuel. Contributing to the accident was the lack of a proper preflight that could have detected water accumulation in the fuel system before takeoff.Jul 25, 2013 · N8306Y · Substantial damageNTSB CEN13FA420Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportChampion 7KCAB · Oak Ridge, LAThe private pilot’s and the flight instructor’s failure to maintain airplane control while performing agricultural operations turns low to the ground, which resulted in a stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the private pilot’s impairment due to his…Jul 18, 2013 · N2978G · Substantial damageNTSB WPR13FA281Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Idaho Falls, IDA loss of power to the right engine during the initial climb due to fuel contamination and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight check of the airplane.Jun 22, 2013 · N830SS · Substantial damageNTSB CEN13WA301Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-39 · Wolfsbehringen, GermanyMay 27, 2013 · N8977Y · Substantial damageNTSB CEN12LA209Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWalling Vans RV-3 · Larchwood, IAThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane after landing.Mar 28, 2012 · N34WC · Substantial damageNTSB CEN11FA434Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchaffer Gary W Lancair · Yukon, OKThe pilot's use of an excessive bank angle while in the airport traffic pattern, which resulted in an accelerated stall. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s lack of experience in the airplane and the pilot’s distracted attention to the rough running…Jun 30, 2011 · N358MA · Substantial damageNTSB ERA11FA348Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Guntersville, ALThe pilot's excessive pitch attitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall during the takeoff initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to comply with weight and balance limitations.Jun 18, 2011 · N1803T · Substantial damageNTSB WPR10FA217Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Merced, CAPilot incapacitation due to the combined effect of multiple unreported medical conditions.Apr 27, 2010 · N847DE · Substantial damageNTSB CEN10FA122Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Amarillo, TXThe pilot’s failure to detect water contaminated fuel, which resulted in a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff. Contributing to the accident were the worn and loose fuel caps, which allowed water to enter the fuel tanks.Feb 17, 2010 · N8501Y · Substantial damageNTSB CEN10FA070Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Port Mansfield, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with the water while on approach (VFR) to land.Dec 11, 2009 · N7781Y · DestroyedNTSB ERA10FA088Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Raneille, WVThe pilot's improper decision to attempt visual flight into deteriorating night weather conditions, and his subsequent controlled flight into terrain.Nov 23, 2009 · N8923Y · Substantial damageNTSB CEN09LA512Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHooper James A Bushby MUS · Gladwin, MIThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control for undetermined reasons.Aug 7, 2009 · N37JD · DestroyedNTSB ERA09LA398Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBarber John A Glasair · Switzerland, FLA loss of control in flight for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's performance of aerobatic maneuvers at altitudes lower than those recommended by the kit manufacturer, resulting in insufficient terrain clearance to conduct a…Jul 11, 2009 · N132JB · DestroyedNTSB ERA09WA291Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-30 · Port Sudan, SudanOn May 10, 2009, at 0530 universal coordinated time (0830 local time), a Piper PA-30, N502TC, was destroyed when it impacted mountainous terrain about 26 nautical miles northwest of Port Sudan, Sudan. The two Yemani pilots onboard were fatally injured. The…May 10, 2009 · N502TC · DestroyedNTSB ERA09LA147Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBellanca 8KCAB · Moscow, TNThe pilot's initiation of a low altitude maneuver followed by an uncontrolled descent into terrain.Jan 31, 2009 · N31254 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA09FA027Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Selmer, TNThe pilot's failure to avoid terrain during night instrument meteorological conditions.Oct 24, 2008 · N7510Y · Substantial damageNTSB NYC08FA054Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Parkland, FLBoth pilots' failure to see and avoid the other airplane. Contributing to the accident were the erroneous readouts from the Cessna's altitude encoder.Dec 8, 2007 · N766CC · 2 aircraft · DestroyedNTSB DEN07WA147Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-39 · Vannes, FranceAug 25, 2007 · N13PF · DestroyedNTSB MIA07FA117Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Nichols, FLFailure of the flight crew to maintain minimal controllable airspeed following a total loss of power in the right engine.Jul 9, 2007 · N387RP · Substantial damageNTSB NYC07FA091Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Trappe, MDThe pilot's improper decision to fly into an area of thunderstorms, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and subsequent in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the thunderstorm.Apr 4, 2007 · N555EM · DestroyedNTSB DEN07WA028Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationYoakley Glasair · Rieden, GermanyNov 26, 2006 · N79KD · DestroyedNTSB DEN06FA107Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAmerican Champion 7KCAB · Winter Park, COThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed to avoid a stall while maneuvering at a low altitude in mountainous terrain. Factors associated with the accident are the pilot's performance of a low altitude flight maneuver, an inadvertent stall/spin, and…Jul 30, 2006 · N5232X · DestroyedNTSB ATL06LA079Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportTaylor Skybolt · Sharpsburg, GAThe pilot's loss of control while conducting aerobatic flight. Factors in the accident were the pilot's ostentatious display, and lack of recent and total experience in type of operation.May 14, 2006 · N78BJ · DestroyedNTSB LAX06FA089Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Visalia, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the landing approach, which resulted in a stall and uncontrolled descent. Contributing factors to the accident were the pilot's impairment due to his prolonged use of a highly sedating over-the-counter sleep aid…Jan 14, 2006 · N7291Y · DestroyedNTSB DFW06FA037Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Raymond, MSThe pilot's failure to maintain Vmc (velocity minimum control) on initial climb resulting in a loss of control. Contributing factors were the loss of engine power to the right engine and the prevailing gusty wind conditions.Dec 1, 2005 · N7315Y · DestroyedNTSB CHI05FA189Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Aurora, MOThe pilot not maintaining adequate airspeed and aircraft control during initial climb, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin at a low altitude. A factor to the accident was the pilot operating the airplane over its certified maximum gross weight.Jul 18, 2005 · N7868Y · Substantial damageNTSB ATL05FA043Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Charleston, SCThe pilot's inadequate preflight and mismanagement of the fuel supply, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.Jan 11, 2005 · N7654Y · Substantial damageNTSB DFW05FA015Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Boise City, OKThe pilot's incapacitation (cardiovascular) resulting in a loss of aircraft control.Nov 5, 2004 · N7415Y · Substantial damageNTSB DEN04FA074Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Evanston, WYthe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing factors include snow, low ceiling, icing conditions, and the dark night.May 24, 2004 · N7460Y · Destroyed