Fatal NTSB investigations: Lycoming 0-540 series, CA

56 cases on aircraft whose registry engine model is Lycoming 0-540 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

19642026
Fatal NTSB investigations: Lycoming 0-540 series, CA per year, 1964–2026: 56 cases
19641
19661
19682
19691
19702
19711
19741
19751
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19811
19823
19831
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19951
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20031
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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.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'CA' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA'
    AND 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'))
  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 WPR26FA069Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportPiper PA-32-260 · Rio Linda, CAOn December 24, 2025, at approximately 1230 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-32-260, N2785Q, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Rio Linda, California. The pilot sustained serious injuries, and the pilot-rated passenger was…Dec 24, 2025 · N2785Q · Substantial damageNTSB WPR21FA114Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Los Angeles, CAThe total loss of engine power due to the failure of the No. 6 exhaust valve for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.Feb 19, 2021 · N57014 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR15FA250Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 25 · Llano, CAThe pilot's loss of airplane control during the landing approach due to an incapacitating medical event.Aug 27, 2015 · N4369Y · Substantial damageNTSB WPR15FA045Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 24-250 · Garberville, CAA loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined due to extensive damage sustained during the collision and postaccident water immersion.Nov 21, 2014 · N7428P · Substantial damageNTSB WPR12FA339Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Truckee, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment by prescription pain medication.Aug 2, 2012 · N8218P · Substantial damageNTSB WPR10FA234Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Livermore, CAThe pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision with obstacles and terrain.May 9, 2010 · N56626 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR10FA068Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchleicher ASW-27 · Middletown, CAThe failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to yield right of way to the glider.Nov 28, 2009 · N127AL · 2 aircraft · Substantial damageNTSB WPR09FA192Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · San Diego, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain control during an en route cruise descent through multiple cloud layers, resulting in an in-flight breakup.Apr 11, 2009 · N7690P · DestroyedNTSB WPR09FA150Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA28-236 · Pomona, CAThe pilot's spatial disorientation while flying in instrument meteorological conditions that resulted in a loss of control of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent instrument flying experience.Mar 14, 2009 · N129AB · DestroyedNTSB LAX08LA272Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSocata Rallye 235E · San Martin, CAThe pilot's incapacitation due to severe unrecognized coronary artery disease that resulted in a loss of aircraft control.Aug 21, 2008 · N711BZ · DestroyedNTSB LAX06FA082Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Mammoth Lakes, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed resulting in a stall/spin.Jan 8, 2006 · N9124W · DestroyedNTSB LAX05FA271Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Pomona, CAA loss of engine power during the landing approach due to fuel starvation caused by debris and corrosion in the carburetor assembly. A factor contributing to the accident was the failure of the owner to comply with the manufacturer's service bulletin…Aug 18, 2005 · N7342P · Substantial damageNTSB LAX05FA262Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Big Bear City, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and adequate airspeed while executing an evasive maneuver during an aborted landing, which resulted in a cross-controlled accelerated stall and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the probable…Aug 8, 2005 · N8540W · DestroyedNTSB LAX03FA142Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna TR182 · Eagleville, CAthe pilot's encounter with mountain wave activity with downdrafts and severe turbulence, which resulted in a loss of airplane control and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to continue flight into an area of…Apr 26, 2003 · N327PC · DestroyedNTSB LAX03FA051Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Anaheim Hills, CAthe pilot's encounter with forecast severe turbulence during an inadvertent penetration of an intense weather cell, which resulted in the pilot exceeding the design structural limits of the airplane. A factor in the accident was the pilot's inadequate…Dec 16, 2002 · N6268P · DestroyedNTSB LAX01FA055Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna TR182 · Petaluma, CAThe pilot's improper IFR procedure, failure to maintain course alignment, and use of a nonapproved handheld GPS receiver for navigation during flight in actual instrument meteorological conditions. Factors contributing to the accident were the low clouds and…Dec 10, 2000 · N739HB · DestroyedNTSB LAX97FA070Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Lucerne Valley, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed after encountering turbulence, low level wind shear, and an open door.Dec 22, 1996 · N2377T · DestroyedNTSB LAX97FA047Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-236 · Lost Hills, CAThe pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which led to spatial disorientation and loss of aircraft control, and the pilot exceeding the aircraft's design stress limits during an attempted recovery. The noninstrument-rated…Nov 21, 1996 · N8447B · DestroyedNTSB LAX96FA229Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Big Bear City, CAimproper preflight by the pilot, by failing to ensure that the fuel selector was positioned to an approved fuel tank with adequate fuel before takeoff; his failure to reposition the fuel selector (per emergency procedures) after the loss of engine power; and…Jun 13, 1996 · N7280P · DestroyedNTSB LAX95FA161Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportHelio H-250 · Round Mountain, CAthe pilot's poor preflight planning/preparation and in-flight decision by continuing VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. The pilot's delay in returning to the departure airport, the low clouds, and low visibility were factors in this…Apr 12, 1995 · N5461E · DestroyedNTSB LAX94FA058Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportSiai-Marchetti F-260 · Santa Monica, CAthe dual student pilot's failure to maintain minimum air speed in flight which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the improper weight and balance, inadequate altitude, and inadequate supervision.Nov 26, 1993 · N126MJ · DestroyedNTSB LAX93FA311Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · El Monte, CAFatigue failure of the cyclic control (stick) assembly, which resulted in loss of cyclic (pitch & roll) control.Jul 31, 1993 · N445RH · DestroyedNTSB LAX92FA151Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-236 · Lebec, CAThe pilot's delayed inflight decision to reverse course to avoid forecast adverse weather conditions. Contributing to the accident was icing conditions and lightning.Mar 27, 1992 · N4335N · DestroyedNTSB LAX91FA310Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Hesperia, CAThe pilot's improper refueling and inadequate preflight which resulted in fuel contamination and the inadvertent stall.Jul 14, 1991 · N515TW · DestroyedNTSB LAX91FA005Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Redlands, CAA total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of a fuel system leak of an undetermined origin.Oct 10, 1990 · N8876W · DestroyedNTSB DEN90FA059Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSiai-Marchetti SF260C · Agoura, CALoss of control of the aircraft during acrobatic flight and the pilot's failure to recover from a spin.Feb 22, 1990 · N24FD · DestroyedNTSB LAX90FA027Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna R182 · San Diego, CAThe pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain aircraft control after becoming spatially disoriented. Factors in the acident were: darkness, adverse weather conditions, and the pilot's lack of…Nov 9, 1989 · N2257T · DestroyedNTSB DEN89FA209Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Lk Havasu City, CAPilot's attention diverted outside the airplane. This diversion resulted in the pilot failing to monitor his altitude while in a descending turn and inadvertently flying the airplane into the water.Sep 7, 1989 · N3999W · DestroyedNTSB LAX89FA277Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Lake Tahoe, CADisablement of the stabilator flight control system. A contributing factor was: inadequate maintenance.Aug 14, 1989 · N4838P · DestroyedNTSB LAX89FA021Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna TR-182 · Paso Robles, CAThe pilot failed to maintain the proper altitude while executing the published instrument approach procedure.Oct 19, 1988 · N739YS · DestroyedNTSB LAX88FA312Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Camarillo, CAThe pilot decided to operate the aircraft with a known electrical deficiency during night instrument meteorlogical conditions and the decision of the pilot to conduct a flight operation in which he was not certified. Contributing to this accident was the…Sep 8, 1988 · N8743W · DestroyedNTSB LAX88FA028Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-250 · Buttonwillow, CAA Piper PA-24-250 collided with terrain while on an IFR flight. The pilot received a wx briefing from fss. While en route, radio and radar contact was lost, then regained. The pilot stated to ATC that the acft had been struck by lightning. He elected to…Oct 29, 1987 · N5431P · DestroyedNTSB LAX86FA233Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-236 · Chino, CAThe private non-instrument rated pilot, overflew his home airport by 23 nautical miles upon returning from a night cross country flight and descended into a hill. Instrument meteorological conditions were reported in the area due to reduced visibility. The…May 27, 1986 · N43504 · Substantial damageNTSB LAX86FA063Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna TR182 · Independence, CAWhile en route, the acft collided with moutainous terrain (trrn) at an aprx elev of 13,500 ft. previously, the plt had requested & was rcvg traffic advisories fm ARTCC. Bfr the acdnt, the acft's psn & alt (mode c reply) were noted by the controller (ctlr). No…Dec 10, 1985 · N737SG · DestroyedNTSB LAX85FA216Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA25-235 · Walnut Grove, CAThe acft flew into the ground on a procedure turnaround while spraying wheat with a toxic chemical. The acft did not stall and the engine sound did not change. A separated aileron crossover cable showed no fatigue. The cholinesterase level in the pilot's…Apr 19, 1985 · N9636P · 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 LAX84FA087Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Holtville, CAThe plt had departed mazatlan, Mexico at 0632 PST & had landed at los mochis & mexicali, Mexico & at calexico, CA, where he cleared U.S. Customs. Before departing calexico, he telephoned his family & told them the wx had been poor all day. The estimated time…Dec 2, 1983 · N3206W · DestroyedNTSB LAX82FA260Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna TR182 · Happy Camp, CAThe aircraft impacted the side of a narrow and steep canyon in a climb attitude. The weather was VFR. The crash occurrednorthwest of the departure point after about 1 hour and 15 minutes of flight. No flight plan was filed, destination was not determined.Jul 17, 1982 · N736EY · DestroyedNTSB LAX82FVA11Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna TR182 · Oakdale, CAThe aircraft was observed to porpoise several times during the takeoff roll, become airborne with the landing gear immediately retracting, then nose down with the propeller striking, the runway. The pilot continued the takeoff and the aircraft climbed to…Jan 30, 1982 · N5173R · Substantial damageNTSB LAX82FA049Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20C · Victorville, CAThe pilot had planned to fly to the big bear airport, but changed his destination to apple valley, California. While on an easterly heading at about 6800 ft MSL, a collision occurred with another aircraft, a Mooney M20C, N7860V. The Piper pilot believed that…Jan 23, 1982 · N7860V · 2 aircraft · DestroyedNTSB LAX81FA072Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Truckee, CAFeb 13, 1981 · N9431W · DestroyedNTSB LAX80FVA27Accident · 1 fatalClosedPitts 6-260 · Frazier Park, CAMar 25, 1980 · N7JY · Substantial damageNTSB LAX80FA071Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Tehachapi, CAMar 25, 1980 · N7358P · DestroyedNTSB LAX79FA035Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Taft, CAMar 17, 1979 · N7167P · DestroyedNTSB OAK78FVG53Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Ruth, CAJun 23, 1978 · N7335P · DestroyedNTSB LAX76AL054Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Fillmore, CAFeb 14, 1976 · N16330 · DestroyedNTSB OAK75AP038Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · S Lake Tahoe, CAFeb 16, 1975 · N9480W · DestroyedNTSB OAK75AP027Accident · 6 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · Hlf Moon By, CADec 27, 1974 · N7705J · DestroyedNTSB LAX72AL008Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Santa Ynez, CAJul 30, 1971 · N9378W · Minor damageNTSB OAK71FVM19Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Calif.Vally, CAOct 4, 1970 · N9008W · Destroyed