NTSB investigations: Lycoming VO-540 series
376 cases on aircraft whose registry engine model is Lycoming VO-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
| 1964 | 4 |
|---|---|
| 1965 | 15 |
| 1966 | 16 |
| 1967 | 5 |
| 1968 | 15 |
| 1969 | 10 |
| 1970 | 8 |
| 1971 | 7 |
| 1972 | 6 |
| 1973 | 9 |
| 1974 | 11 |
| 1975 | 14 |
| 1976 | 13 |
| 1977 | 13 |
| 1978 | 22 |
| 1979 | 17 |
| 1980 | 8 |
| 1981 | 14 |
| 1982 | 9 |
| 1983 | 10 |
| 1984 | 9 |
| 1985 | 3 |
| 1986 | 9 |
| 1987 | 8 |
| 1988 | 6 |
| 1989 | 5 |
| 1990 | 6 |
| 1991 | 8 |
| 1992 | 6 |
| 1993 | 7 |
| 1994 | 4 |
| 1995 | 7 |
| 1996 | 7 |
| 1997 | 5 |
| 1998 | 6 |
| 1999 | 2 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Where
Open the mapLatest 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.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.engine_model_code IN ('41534', '41582'))
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."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.engine_model_code IN ('41534', '41582'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESCRun 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 ERA26LA331Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportBell 47G-4A · Alcoma, FLOn September 5, 2026, at 1422 eastern daylight time, a Bell 47G-4A, N797WS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Alcoma, Florida. The pilot was not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations…NTSB WPR25LA246Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Fobes Hill, WAThe pilot’s abrupt maneuver to avoid a powerline during an aerial application flight, which resulted in the helicopter’s impact with terrain.NTSB WPR22LA245Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Wenatchee, WAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-level operations in light rain conditions.NTSB ERA22LA118Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportHiller UH-12E4 · Shrewsbury, PAThe pilot’s failure to maintain control during the descent which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB ERA17LA285Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G · St Marys, PAThe student pilot's inadequate prefight planning and en route fuel management, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power.NTSB GAA15CA202Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 47G · De Queen, ARThe pilot's failure to conduct helicopter performance planning, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and impact with a truck and terrain during takeoff from an elevated platform.NTSB CEN15LA322Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G 4A · Gilbert, IAThe total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation because the available fuel shifted within the tanks due to an abrupt nose-low maneuver to avoid an obstacle, which resulted in a hard forced landing.NTSB WPR15LA138Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH 12E · Firebaugh, CAA loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB ERA14LA405Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH 12E · Cape May Court House, NJThe mechanic’s failure to detect excessive wear on the engine’s lateral snubber vibration mount during the latest annual inspection, which resulted in an in-flight engine failure and a subsequent forced landing.NTSB WPR14LA062Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH 12E · Chowchilla, CAThe failure of the torsional drive coupling, which resulted in a loss of drive to the main rotor system during low-altitude flight.NTSB WPR12LA115Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportTexas Helicopter OH-13E/M74 · Farmington, CAThe in-flight separation of the wood portion of one main rotor blade while maneuvering at low level, the reason for which could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB CEN11CA403Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 47G-4A · Montgomery City, MOA loss of control during the precautionary landing, which resulted in inadvertent contact between the main rotor and the tailboom. Contributing to the accident was the overloaded condition.NTSB ERA11LA216Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Culpeper, VAMechanical failure of the transmission for reasons that could not be determined because the transmission could not be torn down.NTSB WPR11CA146Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Colusa, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed and an inadvertent encounter with settling with power while flying downwind.NTSB CEN11LA117Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-350P · Lake Elmo, MNThe pilot's improper fuel management which resulted in the loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the distraction of the cabin depressurization.NTSB CEN10CA362Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Grand Junction, COThe total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB WPR10CA283Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 47G-4A · Shaw Island, WAThe passenger's inadvertent movement of the mixture control during climb, resulting in a loss of engine power.NTSB WPR10LA127Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Los Banos, CAA partial loss of engine power due to a failure of the throttle interconnect hardware, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB WPR10LA117Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-4A · Shafter, CAThe loss of a main rotor blade counterweight due to corrosion. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the operator to perform the initial and recurrent inspections required by a Service Bulletin to detect the corrosion in the counterweight.NTSB WPR10CA094Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Tipton, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain.NTSB CEN09CA517Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 47G-2A · Covert, MIA loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of blocked fuel vents.NTSB CEN09CA359Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Stringtown, OKThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's preoccupation with personal affairs.NTSB WPR09LA028Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Powder River, WYA flight control system malfunction while the helicopter was maneuvering at low altitude due to the failure/separation of the rotor blade control tube.NTSB WPR09CA008Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 47J-2A · Florence, AZThe pilot’s inadequate compensation for a wind shift encountered during the landing approach, which resulted in a hard landing and rollover. Contributing to the accident was the encounter with the wind shift.NTSB CHI08CA252Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Cokato, MNThe pilot did not visually identify and maintain clearance with the power lines, and the pilot's inability to maintain control of the helicopter once it contacted the power lines. Factors associated with the accident were the low altitude operations being…NTSB CHI08LA211Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-4A · Mayville, WIThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the rotating rotor blades after he exited the helicopter after landing.NTSB DFW08LA100Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Quinton, OKAn undetermined mechanical malfuction associated with the tail rotor drive system which led to a loss of control.NTSB DEN08LA071Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · La Porte, TXThe loss of tail rotor effectiveness. Contributing factors were the sudden windshift to a tailwind, and the pilot initiating a hovering turn in ground effect.NTSB DFW06CA013Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Pasadena, TXThe pilot's inadequate fuel management, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a loss of engine power. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.NTSB LAX05CA313Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHiller UH 12-E · Five Points, CAThe pilot's failure to refuel the helicopter, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.NTSB LAX05LA187Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-4A · Bakersfield, CAthe pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clearance from the power lines.NTSB SEA05CA104Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Estacada, ORThe failure of the pilot to maintain landing skid clearance during hover taxi, which resulted in a dynamic rollover. A factor was the gusty wind condition.NTSB FTW04LA198Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47-G2 · La Porte, TXThe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB SEA04LA073Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Haines, ORA momentary partial loss of power for undetermined reason(s) and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate RPM during his autorotation landing.NTSB LAX04LA176Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-4A · Bakersfield, CAa loss of tail rotor drive due to a disconnection of the drive shaft's splined coupling at the tail rotor gear box. The splined coupling to tail rotor gear box disconnection occurred as a result of tail boom flexing due to the combined effects of an…NTSB LAX03CA284Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHiller UH12E · Kekaha, HIthe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the wires due to an inadequate visual lookout.NTSB CHI03LA185Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Elk Mound, WIThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain. Factors contributing to the accident were the whirlwind, the turbulence, and the helicopter's low altitude.NTSB LAX03LA197Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47-G4 · Porterville, CAloss of control for undetermined reasons.NTSB FTW03CA146Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportBell 47G-4 · Robinson, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the ground while performing a quick stop maneuver which resulted in a dynamic rollover.NTSB FTW02LA186Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G4 · Grand Lake, LAthe pilot's inability to control the helicopter in a hover due to the restricted movement of the cyclic for undetermined reasons.NTSB ATL02FA107Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 47G-4A · Yauco, PRThe pilot's failure to apply carburetor heat that resulted in a partial loss of engine power and the subsequent collision with an object during the forced landing. A factor was weather conditions favorable for the formation of carburetor ice.NTSB CHI02LA142Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-4 · Muncie, INThe pilot did not maintain directional control during hover taxi. Inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions, the light rain, and the light pole were factors in the accident.NTSB NYC02LA090Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47J-2A · Blairstown, NJThe pilot's improper flare, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance which resulted in a tail strike.NTSB SEA02LA073Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Goshen, ORThe failure of company maintenance personnel to identify and replace/repair the degraded exhaust stack. Contributing factors were the mis-rigged carburetor heat control and the pilot's failure to maintain appropriate rotor RPM. Additional contributing factors…NTSB ATL02LA044Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH12E · Miami, FLFatigue cracking in the main rotor hub that resulted in the separation of the main rotor system. A factor was corrosive deposits on the exposed portion of the plate set pin.NTSB LAX01LA276Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-4A · Strathmore, CAThe pilot's inadequate visual lookout while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.NTSB CHI01LA238Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Hastings, NEAircraft control not being maintained by the pilot which resulted in the encountered settling with power flight condition during the initial climb. Factors to the accident were the reported variable winds during the takeoff and the corn crop.NTSB LAX01LA245Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Blythe, CAThe selection by the pilot of an unsuitable precautionary landing site on soft, uneven terrain, which resulted in a rollover.NTSB LAX01LA196Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-4A · Buttonwillow, CAThe pilot's inadequate in-flight planning that resulted in settling with power during an aerial application turn-to-reverse direction and collision with the ground. Factors were high density altitude and a wind shift.NTSB LAX00LA116Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-4A · Wasco, CAThe pilot's failure to use carburetor heat, which resulted in a loss of engine power. Factors included the ambient carburetor icing conditions and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.