Fatal NTSB investigations: Lycoming IO-540 series

276 cases on aircraft whose registry engine model is Lycoming IO-540 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

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Fatal NTSB investigations: Lycoming IO-540 series per year, 1971–2026: 276 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 ('41530', '41585'))
  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 ERA26FA271Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportSmith Aerostar 601 · Lake Clear, NYOn July 13, 2026, about 2236 eastern daylight time, a Smith Aerostar 601P, N800AA was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Lake Clear, New York. The private pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14…Jul 14, 2026 · N800AA · DestroyedNTSB CEN26FA147Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportExperimental Homebuilt Airshark · Statesboro, GAOn March 25, 2026, about 1453 eastern daylight time, an experimental homebuilt Airshark airplane, N220AS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Statesboro, Georgia. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a…Mar 25, 2026 · N220AS · Substantial damageNTSB WPR26FA097Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportSocata TB21 · Prescott, AZOn February 4, 2026, about 1950 mountain standard time, a Socata TB21, N967WM, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Prescott, Arizona. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91…Feb 5, 2026 · N967WM · DestroyedNTSB WPR26LA020Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportPiper PA-23-250 · Condon, MTOn October 17, 2025, about 1615 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-23-250, N2345R, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Condon, Montana. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14…Oct 17, 2025 · N2345R · Substantial damageNTSB WPR25FA147Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportPaul Berkovitz Vans RV-10 · Simi Valley, CAOn May 3, 2025, about 1350 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Van’s RV-10, N626PB, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Simi Valley, California. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a…May 3, 2025 · N626PB · DestroyedNTSB CEN25FA019Accident · 4 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R44 · Houston, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a lighted radio tower during a visual night flight. Contributing to the accident was the air traffic controller’s failure to issue a safety alert notifying the pilot of the flight’s unsafe proximity to the tower.Oct 21, 2024 · N881KE · DestroyedNTSB GAA24WA285Accident · 2 fatalClass 4 · ForeignPiper PA-23-250 · Nassau, BahamasSep 12, 2024 · N555MH · Substantial damageNTSB ERA24FA176Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Knoxville, TNThe pilot’s decision to depart into an area of instrument meteorological and icing conditions, which resulted in loss of airplane control and a subsequent in-flight breakup.Apr 12, 2024 · N9236J · DestroyedNTSB CEN23FA285Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-60-601P · Burlington, COThe pilot’s visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control in flight and subsequent impact with terrain.Jul 6, 2023 · N100PB · DestroyedNTSB ANC23FA045Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Old Harbor, AKThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s delayed decision to turn away from the terrain.Jul 2, 2023 · N1132Q · Substantial damageNTSB GAA23WA165Accident · 1 fatalClass 4 · ForeignPiper PA-32R-301 · Stella Maris, BahamasJun 9, 2023 · N9253M · DestroyedNTSB CEN23FA201Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182T · Grand Isle, LAThe pilot’s operation of the airplane while intoxicated, resulting in its impact with the ocean.May 24, 2023 · N577TZ · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23FA137Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182S · Alcova, WYThe airplane’s encounter with low level wind shear associated with moderate turbulence, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.Mar 21, 2023 · N314FR · Substantial damageNTSB CEN23FA125Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Port O'Connor, TXThe pilot’s initiation of the visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of helicopter control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s flicker vertigo during the flight.Mar 7, 2023 · N494SH · DestroyedNTSB ERA23FA108Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Dayton, VAThe pilot’s controlled flight into terrain while descending over mountainous terrain at night.Jan 11, 2023 · N43156 · DestroyedNTSB GAA22WA311Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Kildare, IrelandDec 11, 2022 · N999RL · DestroyedNTSB ERA22FA368Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA32 · Metz, WVThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s intentional visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions based on latent weather information, which resulted in the airplane entering extreme precipitation, a loss of aircraft control, and in-flight break-up.Aug 11, 2022 · N720RP · Substantial damageNTSB CEN22FA113Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 182T · Heath, OHThe pilot’s failure to maintain altitude after takeoff, which resulted in collision with trees and terrain.Feb 1, 2022 · N716MC · DestroyedNTSB ERA22FA096Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Cosby, TNThe pilot’s intentional, continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions in a helicopter that was not certified for instrument conditions, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control and a collision with trees and terrain.Dec 29, 2021 · N544SC · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22LA090Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportAerofab Lake LA-4-250 · Auburndale, FLA bird strike, which resulted in a loss of control while flying at low altitude over a lake.Dec 17, 2021 · N1402C · DestroyedNTSB WPR22FA044Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportJahnke Lionel G Glasair III · Big Bear City, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.Nov 21, 2021 · N291KT · DestroyedNTSB CEN20LA401Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA32 · Kokomo, INThe pilot’s inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with a utility pole and the subsequent collision with terrain.Sep 20, 2020 · N8213X · DestroyedNTSB WPR20LA135Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Hemet, CAMaintenance personnel’s failure to properly inspect and replace damaged aileron control cables, which resulted in fatigue separation of the aileron control cable and loss of control of the aircraft.Apr 30, 2020 · N6521Y · Substantial damageNTSB CEN20FA070Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA60 · Springfield, ILThe pilot’s failure to follow the instrument landing system (ILS) course guidance during the instrument approach.Jan 28, 2020 · N6071R · DestroyedNTSB WPR20FA013Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R44 · Las Vegas, NVAn undetermined inflight event that resulted in the pilot performing an autorotation to uneven terrain for reasons that could not be determined due to the extent of impact damage.Oct 23, 2019 · N225JM · Substantial damageNTSB ERA20FA014Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA32 · Raleigh, NCThe pilot’s failure to maintain a safe glidepath during final approach to the runway, which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain. Contributing was the pilot’s lack of recent instrument flight experience.Oct 20, 2019 · N534Z · DestroyedNTSB CEN20LA021Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA23 · (Gulf of Mexico)The airplane’s descent into the ocean for reasons that could not be determined.Oct 17, 2019 · N778PA · DestroyedNTSB CEN20FA002Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper Aerostar 602P · Kokomo, INThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack following a dual engine power loss caused by the line service technician fueling the airplane with the wrong fuel, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control.…Oct 5, 2019 · N326CW · DestroyedNTSB WPR19FA188Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R44 · Hayward, CAThe pilots’ loss of control during a low altitude maneuver for undetermined reasons, which resulted in impact with terrain.Jul 15, 2019 · N144TG · Substantial damageNTSB WPR19FA178Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportMaule M7-235B · Sunriver, ORA partial loss of engine power due to the separation of baffling in both mufflers. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to retract the landing gear on the float-equipped airplane before performing a forced landing to the river.Jun 22, 2019 · N118G · Substantial damageNTSB WPR19FA148Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R44 · Alpine, UTThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was hypoxia due to the high altitude at which…May 17, 2019 · N744TW · Substantial damageNTSB ERA19FA113Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Louisburg, NCThe pilot's spatial disorientation and loss of airplane control following takeoff in night instrument meteorological conditions.Mar 2, 2019 · N26617 · DestroyedNTSB ERA19LA093Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA32RT · Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)The pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation.Feb 1, 2019 · N3016L · DestroyedNTSB CEN19FA004Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA32RT · Poolville, TXThe pilot's loss of airplane control as a result of spatial disorientation and the exceedance of the structural capabilities of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's limited experience in instrument conditions.Oct 12, 2018 · N221MC · DestroyedNTSB WPR18FA253Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportCommander 114 · Jean, NVThe pilot failed to maintain adequate speed while maneuvering at a low attitude during night and entered an aerodynamic stall and subsequent spin.Sep 6, 2018 · N6064C · DestroyedNTSB ERA18FA197Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA32R · Lincolnton, NCThe noninstrument-rated pilot's intentional visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to complete…Jul 24, 2018 · N38523 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA18FA187Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Williamsburg, VAThe pilot's failure to safely operate the helicopter due to his impaired cognitive and physical abilities, which resulted in a loss of control.Jul 8, 2018 · N616HS · DestroyedNTSB ERA18LA184Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSwearingen SX300 · Daytona Beach, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during landing, which led to the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack, experiencing an aerodynamic stall and hard landing, which resulted in a landing gear collapse, loss of directional control, and…Jul 5, 2018 · N42SX · DestroyedNTSB WPR18FA084Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182T · Santee, CAThe pilot's decision to take off into instrument meteorological conditions that resulted in spatial disorientation, and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.Feb 6, 2018 · N3525T · Substantial damageNTSB ERA18FA016Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 32 · Morrison, TNThe pilots' loss of control during a missed approach in night instrument meteorological conditions as a result of spatial disorientation.Nov 8, 2017 · N47831 · DestroyedNTSB WPR17FA185Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRich Wheeler Express CT · Madras, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering in the airport traffic pattern for landing, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, a subsequent aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low to recover.Aug 19, 2017 · N246TM · DestroyedNTSB CEN17FA287Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportAerofab Lake LA 4 250 · Oshkosh, WIThe pilot's failure to properly configure the airplane for takeoff and his decision to takeoff with a tailwind in unfavorable water conditions, which resulted in the airplane entering an aerodynamic stall and the pilot losing control.Jul 28, 2017 · N1400P · Substantial damageNTSB WPR17FA161Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportApplegate Panzl S331E · Apple Valley, CAA fatigue failure of the left aileron control rod end during aerobatic flight, which resulted in the pilot's inability to maintain control of the airplane.Jul 22, 2017 · N331ST · Substantial damageNTSB WPR17FA105Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSocata TB 20 Trinidad · Sierraville, CAThe pilot's decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into mountainous terrain.Apr 17, 2017 · N28070 · DestroyedNTSB WPR17LA054Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportJohnson Harmon Rocket · Corona, CAA total loss of engine power during takeoff due to fuel starvation as a result of a failure of internal components of the fuel servo.Jan 17, 2017 · N275JS · Substantial damageNTSB CEN17FA075Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportFields Steen Skybolt · Era, TXThe pilot’s loss of airplane control while conducting aerobatic flight maneuvers with insufficient altitude to recover.Jan 12, 2017 · N94RG · Substantial damageNTSB ERA17WA090Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationAerofab Lake LA 250 · Puerto Plata, Dominican RepublicOn October 17, 2016, about 2200 coordinated universal time, an AeroFab, Inc. Lake-250, N724ST, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ocean while on approach to Gregorio Luperón International Airport (POP), Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. The pilot…Oct 17, 2016 · N724ST · Substantial damageNTSB CEN16FA261Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 32R-300 · Houston, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed after becoming distracted by the open baggage door while operating in the airport traffic pattern, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall at…Jul 8, 2016 · N32KK · DestroyedNTSB CEN16FA215Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Jonesboro, ARThe pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to his combined use of alcohol and diphenhydramine, which led to his improper decision to fly after drinking alcohol and degraded…Jun 12, 2016 · N789MR · DestroyedNTSB ERA16FA001Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA32R · Westminster, SCThe pilot's loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.Oct 2, 2015 · N782TM · Destroyed