Fatal NTSB investigations: Lycoming 0-540 series

15 cases on aircraft whose registry engine model is Lycoming 0-540 series, where the first occurrence was “In flight collision with object”. 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

19822026
Fatal NTSB investigations: Lycoming 0-540 series per year, 1982–2026: 15 cases
19821
19841
19861
19901
19971
20011
20021
20042
20052
20063
20071

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 ('41532')
      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\" = 220))
  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 NYC08FA026Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Jamestown, TNThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a known wire hazard during takeoff.Nov 5, 2007 · N8356C · DestroyedNTSB CHI06LA223Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Underwood, NDThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the power line during the aerial application flight.Aug 3, 2006 · N4693Y · Substantial damageNTSB ATL06FA102Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Suches, GAThe pilot's failure to retract the wing flaps and his decision to make a turn while performing a go-around.Jul 8, 2006 · N3380W · DestroyedNTSB MIA06FA039Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Grand Ridge, FLThe pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather, and his impairment, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees and terrain during cruise flight.Jan 2, 2006 · N442DH · DestroyedNTSB CHI05FA274Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Drummond, WIClearance not obtained/maintained by the pilot during an unknown phase of flight. Contributing factors were the improper use of procedures by the pilot, the inadequate surveillance of the operation by company/management, and the wire.Sep 24, 2005 · N9158U · Substantial damageNTSB ATL05LA149Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Colquitt, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain visual lookout and clearance from obstacles while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a tree and subsequent uncontrolled descent into the ground.Aug 21, 2005 · N7399Z · Substantial damageNTSB IAD04FA025Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R-44 · Killingly, CTThe pilot in command's intentional flight into instrument meteorological flight conditions, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance which resulted in a controlled descent into trees. Factors included the pilot's inadequate weather evaluation, low cloud…Jun 18, 2004 · N70144 · DestroyedNTSB IAD04FA017Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · North Lima, OHThe pilot's failure to maintain a safe altitude clearance from trees. Factors included the night lighting conditions and the pilot's diminished night vision capability.Apr 19, 2004 · N5369P · DestroyedNTSB SEA02FA175Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna TR182 · Twin Falls, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain runway alignment and his failure to execute a timely go-around maneuver resutling in the aircraft's impacting a parked fuel truck well clear of the runway safety area. Contributing factors were the strong crosswind/gusty wind…Sep 15, 2002 · N738GX · DestroyedNTSB CHI02FA049Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Waukesha, WIThe pilot's continued flight into adverse weather and not maintaining altitude/clearance from the static line during cruise flight. Factors were the static wire, the darkness of night, the low ceiling, and the vehicle.Dec 13, 2001 · N7007F · DestroyedNTSB CHI98LA029Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Robinson, ILthe pilot's improper decision to continue flight into adverse weather conditions The low ceiling and the heavy rain were factors.Nov 2, 1997 · N7890P · DestroyedNTSB NYC90FA176Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · North Andover, MAThe controller issued an unauthorized alternate missed approach procedure that did not provide adequate terrain clearance, and the pilot delayed obtaining a proper rate of climb during the missed approach. Factors related to the accident were: darkness and…Jul 29, 1990 · N333EP · DestroyedNTSB FTW87FA025Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Baytown, TXThe plt took off from a decommissioned, unlighted arpt at night after telling friends in a bar that he was going to new orleans. Later, witnesses observed the acft as the plt made several low passes over an interstate highway near the departure arpt. While…Dec 3, 1986 · N43302 · DestroyedNTSB LAX84FA337Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Barstow, CAThe flt had originated somewhere in Mexico & was being tracked by dea investigators until radar contact was lost. In the vicinity of amboy, CA an anonymous caller had contacted the highway patrol & reported a low flying acft near amboy with no visible…Jun 7, 1984 · N5306Y · DestroyedNTSB ATL82DA062Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Griffin, GAThe pilot was hired to perform for the filming of an agricultural spraying operation. During one of the low passes the aircraft struck two of the ground crew. The cameraman received fatal injuries. Pieces of the wooden propeller, used to drive the spray pump,…Mar 1, 1982 · N4732Y · Minor damage