Fatal NTSB investigations: Lycoming IO-540 series

6 cases on aircraft whose registry engine model is Lycoming IO-540 series, where the first occurrence was “Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction”. 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.

Defining event

Finding

Phase of flight

Aircraft model

Cases per year

19862026

Fatal NTSB investigations: Lycoming IO-540 series per year, 1986–2026: 6 cases
1986	1
1989	1
1992	1
2002	1
2004	1
2007	1

Where

Open the map

Latest cases

Query with 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 ('41530', '41585') AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND o.aircrafts_position = x.position AND o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o."occurrenceCode" = 130)) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

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')
      AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND o.aircrafts_position = x.position AND o.\"occurrenceNumber\" = 1 AND o.\"occurrenceCode\" = 130))
  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.

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')
    AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND o.aircrafts_position = x.position AND o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o."occurrenceCode" = 130))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.

NTSB DEN07FA079Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 II · Ponte Vedra Bch, FLthe mechanic's improper installation of the attachment hardware for the servo to swashplate push-pull tube joint which resulted in a disconnection, subsequent loss of control, and impact with terrain. Contributing factors were the company management's…Mar 27, 2007 · N744SH · Destroyed NTSB LAX04LA253Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportAnderson Harmon Rocket II · Seal Beach, CAthe in-flight separation of the elevator, which resulted in a loss of airplane control and an uncontrolled descent. The underlying cause and mechanism of the elevator separation could not be determined.Jul 7, 2004 · N28BE · Destroyed NTSB FTW03LA061Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCreekmore Team Rocket F-1 · Rosenberg, TXThe in-flight separation of the vertical stabilizer as a result of the builder's failure to install the upper attachment fitting for the vertical fin aft spar.Dec 20, 2002 · N140TC · Destroyed NTSB CHI92FA267Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-61-601P · Aurora, INExceeding the design stress limits of the airplane by the pilot in command.Sep 8, 1992 · N717BB · Destroyed NTSB NYC90FA040Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-60-602P · Frenchtown, NJThe inadequate maintenance and inspection of the turbocharger tailpipe exhaust stack on the right engine by the mechanic(s). The failure of the tailpipe permitted heat from the exhaust to weaken the main spar of the right wing resulting in a catastrophic…Dec 21, 1989 · N6894Y · Destroyed NTSB NYC86FHD03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPassonno Skybolt · Moorestown, NJThe Passonno skybolt was observed to recover from a loop and then the tail surfaces started to shake. The acft then descended to the ground and was destroyed by impact. Examination of various horizontal stabilizer and elevator components showed that the…Aug 27, 1986 · N8FP · Destroyed