NTSB investigations: Lycoming VO-540 series

13 cases on aircraft whose registry engine model is Lycoming VO-540 series, where the first occurrence was “Loss of control - in flight”. 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

19832026
NTSB investigations: Lycoming VO-540 series per year, 1983–2026: 13 cases
19831
19841
19851
19881
19911
19921
19952
19971
19981
20011
20021
20031

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.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.engine_model_code IN ('41534', '41582')
      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\" = 250))
  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 LAX03LA197Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47-G4 · Porterville, CAloss of control for undetermined reasons.Jun 13, 2003 · N9017N · DestroyedNTSB 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.Jun 23, 2002 · N62446 · DestroyedNTSB 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.Jul 25, 2001 · N67067 · Substantial damageNTSB LAX98LA197Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-4A · Shafter, CAThe aircraft's encounter with settling with power, which resulted from the pilot's decision to perform a steep downwind approach.Jun 14, 1998 · N110DT · Substantial damageNTSB FTW98LA030Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-4A · Welsh, LAthe pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter, while maneuvering to avoid an obstruction. The abrupt maneuver was a related factor.Oct 16, 1997 · N7104J · Substantial damageNTSB FTW96LA005Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-4A · Edinburg, TXthe pilot's improper takeoff planning which resulted in the loss of conrol. A factor was the gusty crosswind condition.Oct 3, 1995 · N6SR · Substantial damageNTSB FTW95LA105Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-4A · El Indio, TXThe loss of tail rotor effectiveness. A factor was the gusty right quartering tailwind.Feb 1, 1995 · N6SR · DestroyedNTSB LAX92LA396Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47-G4A · Volcano, HIThe pilot's improper use of the collective control after inadvertently entering a power settling condition.Sep 21, 1992 · N73279 · Substantial damageNTSB FTW92LA007Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Palacios, TXThe pilot's inadequate preflight.Oct 11, 1991 · N4029D · Substantial damageNTSB LAX88DVA16Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Helm, CADuring an aerial application flight, the pilot lost control of the helicopter just after liftoff and collided with the terrain. Inspection of the wreckage revealed that the chemical trucks filler hose was still attached to the helicopter when it lifted off.Sep 10, 1988 · N4029Y · Substantial damageNTSB DEN85LTG06Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBell 47G-4A · Minot, NDThe plt was engaged by a deputy sheriff to fly the helicopter about 2-1/2 mi to the Minot intl arpt for impoundment. During takeoff, it began climbing, then the plt lost control & the helicopter entered a descent & crashed. Initial impact occurred about 35 ft…Jul 30, 1985 · N1041B · Substantial damageNTSB DEN84LA177Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Granby, COThe helicopter plt was on a reconnaissance flt to survey a hilltop landing site in mountainous terrain. When he arrived, he made a high reconnaissance pass, then began a low reconnaissance apch. He estimated the wind was from 210 deg at 10 to 15 KTS with…Jun 11, 1984 · N504HA · Substantial damageNTSB LAX84LA010Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH12E · Los Banos, CAThe plt loaded the helicopter & started a spraying operation. He stated that as he pulled the helicopter up from the 1st spray run, it started shaking & went partially out of control. He was able to regain enough control to get the helicopter in level flt…Oct 10, 1983 · N4026G · Substantial damage