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Fatal NTSB investigations: Lycoming VO-540 series

21 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.

Defining event

Finding

Phase of flight

Aircraft model

Cases per year

19682026

Where

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 ('41534', '41582')) 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 ('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."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 ('41534', '41582'))
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 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.Jul 24, 2008 · N24HM · Minor damage NTSB LAX03LA197Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47-G4 · Porterville, CAloss of control for undetermined reasons.Jun 13, 2003 · N9017N · Destroyed 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.May 25, 2002 · N6SR · Destroyed NTSB SEA99FA013Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Marshall, WAThe loss of the bolt that connects the lateral cyclic linkage push rod to the lower end of the upper firewall-mounted lateral cyclic linkage bellcrank, resulting in an uncontrolled descent into the terrain.Nov 10, 1998 · N752GB · Destroyed NTSB LAX96LA315Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47-G4A · Guamloss of tail rotor control due to improper maintenance.Aug 26, 1996 · N474GA · Destroyed NTSB CHI94LA191Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportHiller HU-12E · Watertown, SDthe pilot's failure to maintain a visual lookout. A factor associated with the accident was the powerlines.Jun 23, 1994 · N330CW · Destroyed NTSB LAX93LA166Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G2A · Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean)The passenger's failure to adhere to the pilot's instructions. Factors which contributed to the accident were: the language/communications difficulty between the pilot & the passenger, and the bird strike.Mar 24, 1993 · N8493E · Minor damage NTSB NYC92FA117Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 47-G4A · Shelburne Falls, MAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance. Contributing was inadequate altitude.Jun 16, 1992 · N1041B · Destroyed NTSB LAX91LA388Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportTexas Helicopter M74 · Farmington, CALoss of engine power for an undetermined reason. Factors related to the accident were: the excessive gross weight of the helicopter, and the pilot's improper use of flight controls due to impairment from use of a drug (marijuanna).Sep 11, 1991 · N43921 · Destroyed NTSB ATL90FA089Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12D · Soddy-Daisy, TNFatigue induced failure of the collective pitch push rod (adjustable) during flight, and the failure of the pilot to provide routine maintenance. The pilot's lack of expereince and his failure to obtain required training and certification were factors in the…Mar 31, 1990 · N94496 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX84FA130Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 47J-2 · Kahuku, HIAbout 3 min after takeoff, the helicopter was observed descending in a 'gliding fashion' until water impact. A witness reported that it appeared to be flying straight & did not appear to be in trouble. The witness reported that she could hear the eng & it…Jan 1, 1984 · N2097 · Destroyed NTSB SEA81FA035Accident · 2 fatalClosedBell 47G-4A · Aberdeen, WAMay 19, 1981 · N9457 · Destroyed NTSB LAX79FA081Accident · 5 fatalClosedBell 47J-2 · Long Beach, CASep 14, 1979 · N930NR · Destroyed NTSB LAX78FA008Accident · 2 fatalClosedBell 47J-2 · Burbank, CANov 22, 1977 · N8442E · Destroyed NTSB SEA74AS030Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 47G-4A · Wapato, WAJan 20, 1974 · N1396X · Destroyed NTSB NYC74AN035Accident · 2 fatalClosedBell 47G-5 · Waynesburg, PAOct 25, 1973 · N8556F · Destroyed NTSB IAD73FIJ25Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 47G2A1 · Stickney, WVJun 7, 1973 · N1215W · Destroyed NTSB SEA72FYE03Accident · 1 fatalClosedHiller 12E · Skykomish, WAJul 16, 1971 · N9749C · Destroyed NTSB ANC69A0027Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 47G-4A · Kenai, AKNov 4, 1968 · N1396X · Destroyed NTSB CHI68A0107Accident · 1 fatalClosedBell 47J-2 · Rice Lake, WIJun 14, 1968 · N73258 · Destroyed NTSB FTW68A0084Accident · 1 fatalClosedBrantly 305 · Orange, TXMar 30, 1968 · N2212U · Destroyed