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, newest first
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 LAX91LA249Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Huron, CAThat unknown pilot(s) impoperly used the throttle control which caused an overspeed condition. Contributing to this accident was the connecting rod bolt fatigue failure.NTSB LAX91LA191Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Delano, CAThat the pilot improperly performed the autorotation by misjudging the flare altitude. Contributing to this accident was the total failure of the freewheeling sprag clutch due to excessive wear and the soft dirt terrain.NTSB FTW91LA064Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G4 · Corpus Christi, TXThe initial restricted movement and eventual locking of the cyclic control as a result of the failure of the lateral servo. A factor was the installation of the failed component by an unqualified person.NTSB ANC91LA041Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47 · Thompson Pass, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and improper flare during landing.NTSB BFO91LA018Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47J2A · Matoaca, VAThe failure of four propeller retention and the pilot's misjudgement of the forced landing approach.NTSB LAX90DVD03Accident · No injuriesFinal reportTexas Helicopter M47A Wasp · Stockton, CAThe pilot misjudged the altitude during the flare/touchdown phase of the autorotation. Factors relating to this accident are failure of the right magneto.NTSB CHI90DTG02Accident · No injuriesFinal reportHiller UH-12-E · Garrison, NDThe failure of the helicopter tail rotor control cable. A factor related to the accident was the chafing of the tail rotor control cable.NTSB ATL90LA138Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell BH-47G · Seagrove, NCFailure of a number four connecting rod bolt for an undetermined reason.NTSB FTW90DPJ05Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportBell 47G-4A · Bixby, OKLoss of control due to undetermined mechanical failure.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…NTSB LAX90DVA01Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportHiller 12E · Huron, CAThe pilot failed to properly preflight the airplane before departing on the accident flight and misjudged the flare during the ensuing autorotation. Factors relating to this accident were oil starvation and total failure of the connecting rod.NTSB LAX90DUJ03Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Yuma, AZThe pilot misjudged the flare altitude. Contributing to this accident was the failure of the engine torsional coupling which ultimately caused the total loss of power.NTSB LAX89DUJ09Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Tolleson, AZAn engine failure due to water contamination in the fuel supply which preceded an autorotation and collision with the ground during night time conditions.NTSB CHI89DEP07Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Blackriverfalls, WIPilot-in-command's failure to jettison the external load followed by his misjudgement of distance to avoid collision with the external load.NTSB LAX89DVM02Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Salinas, CAThe separation of the torsion coupling in the main rotor drive system.NTSB 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.NTSB LAX88DUG06Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Thermal, CAShortly after refueling the helicopter & reloading the hopper, the plt took off & was starting to spray a field when the eng suddenly lost power. The plt said the helicopter was dscndg from about 30 ft when the power loss occurred; thus, he barely had time to…NTSB MIA88LA225Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Clewiston, FLThe plt stated the fuel gages indicated 20 gals when he took off on spraying flt. He had just completed the spray run & started to pull up from about 10 ft & 25 mph. At that time the eng quit '& sounded just like it would if it ran out of gas'. There was not…NTSB NYC88LA170Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47J2 · Newburyport, MAThe helicopter departed runway 10 at plum island airport, turned left over the plum island river and shortly thereafter the engine quit. The pilot stated that no warning was noted and a check of the instruments indicated no problems. He further stated that…NTSB MIA88LA183Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Gretna, FLWhile on an aerial application flt, the plt stated he maneuvered the helicopter to release the remaining chemical. He then heard a loud 'screeching' noise followed by silence as the eng quit. The helicopter landed hard breaking the skids. It came to rest on…NTSB FTW88DRA05Accident · No injuriesFinal reportHiller UH-12E · La Salle, TXAcft was substantially damaged during an emergency autorotation following an engine failure while the acft was completing an aerial application maneuver. Acft touched down tail low and the main rotor blades flexed down and cut off the tail boom. Investigation…NTSB MIA88LA018Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47J-2 · Key Colony Bch., FLThe plt stated that he did not check the fuel system for contaminates after refueling but an eighteen minute flt after refueling was uneventful. He then landed the helicopter, remained on the ground aprx 20 minutes, performed a walk around insp, again without…NTSB MIA88LA014Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Union Church, MSAt an altitude of aprx 75 feet during an agricultural turn, the plt reported that the engine lost power. While executing a forced landing, the rotor blades contacted trees, after which, during the descent, the right skid collided with a stump & the helicopter…NTSB DEN87DTG02Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBell 47G-4A · Minot, NDThe plt rprtd that when he took off fm a nrby nurse truck, the wind was fm the NE at 5 to 7 mph. He made an observation pass across the area to be treated, then bgn a dscndg rgt turn to make a swath run in the opposite drctn. He stated he was unaware of a…NTSB LAX87DUJ11Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Scottsdale, AZDuring an aerial application flight, the plt made a turn-around & was starting to make another swath run when he heard a loud 'bang' & then the helicopter collided with terrain. An inspn of the main rotor head & pin revealed the hub had failed from hi cycle…NTSB MIA87LA224Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47J-2A · Orlando, FLDuring the apch to land the tail rotor drive assy failed resulting in a momentary loss of control. The plt then autorotated & landed on the company helipad, during which the helicopter sustained substantial damage. Examination of the tail rotor drive assy…NTSB LAX87DVD04Accident · No injuriesFinal reportHiller UH-23-D · Brentwood, CADuring an aerial application flight, the tail boom weight separated and contacted the tail rotor. The pilot lost control of the aircraft and collided with a tree and subsequently the terrain. Post acc invest revealed that the 'pip pins' which secure the tail…NTSB DEN87LA204Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47J-2 · Canon City, COThe ATP plt was flying sightseeing rides. There were two adults and two children in the four passenger helicopter. Density altitude was 10000 feet. The acft lost pwr and the plt aborted takeoff and landed. After an eng runup the plt took off again and the…NTSB LAX87DVD01Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportBell 47G4A · Stockton, CAJust after takeoff, the engine experienced a power loss while transporting agricultural equipment. A fractographic examination of the failed fuel disconnect fitting by anamet laboratories, concluded that approximately 70% of the retaining ring on the fuel…NTSB FTW86LA167Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Norias, TXThe commercial plt was engaged in a livestock round-up and attempted to hover over a wire fence. The acft skid caught on the fence causing a loss of acft control and subsequent impact with the terrain.NTSB LAX86FVM08Accident · No injuriesFinal reportHiller UH 12E · Gonzales, CAA loss of power was expereinced as the acft descended into a field at the beginning of an aerial application spray run. The plt initiated a forced landing into the field. During the landing the right skid dug into the field, tipping the helicopter onto its…NTSB FTW86FRD24Accident · No injuriesFinal reportTexas Helicopter OH-13E/M74 · Port Allen, LAThe helicopter experienced partial power loss and descended to ground. It spray booms became entangled in the soy beans. The helicopter started to nose over, then rolled onto its right side and came to rest. Reason for the partial power loss is undetermined.NTSB NYC86LA227Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47J-2A · Newburyport, MAThe plt experienced a total power loss of the acft eng while practicing autorotations. The helicopter landed hard, the main rotor flexed and severed the tail boom. Post accident inspection of the helicopter revealed the fuel selector was positioned on the…NTSB LAX86FVM06Accident · No injuriesFinal reportHiller UH21E · Salinas, CAThe plt experienced a 'ratcheting' to the right and a decrease in rotor RPM during cruise flt at 75-100 ft AGL. The plt made an autorotation but could not cushion the landing due to the low alt and lack of rotor RPM. The helicopter impacted hard and…NTSB LAX86DVA13Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBell 47G-4A · Shafter, CAShortly after departing the loading rig, en route to an agricultural aerial application operation, the forward coupling tail rotor drive shaft failed. The helicopter was about 10 ft above ground level and about 100 ft west of the loading rig. The pilot…NTSB LAX86DVA09Accident · No injuriesFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Delano, CAThe helicopter rotor blade delaminated shortly after departing the operator's north base at Delano, CA. The investigation determined the blade contained extensive voids on the bond line. The blade was rejected by the manufacturer as being unairworthy. The…NTSB LAX86FVM05Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportHiller UH12E · Castroville, CAThe acft landed hard and rolled over after the lndg skid failed in a forced lndg. The plt said he was crusing at 500 ft AGL over an open field when he heard a loud bang. The helicopter began to vibrate severely and spiral to the right. The plt lost ground…NTSB LAX86LA113Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Lodi, CAWhile on an aerial agricultural spraying flight the acft engine lost total power. The plt executed an immediate autorotation landing. Upon ground contact, the acft skid for about 8 ft until the front skid contacted the ground furrow and nosed over causing the…NTSB 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…NTSB SEA85LA107Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Fall Creek, ORThe helicopter sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of power. According to the plt, the helicopter was refueled aprx 1 hr flt time prior to the accident. Cause of the power loss was not determined.NTSB LAX85FA132Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportHiller UH12E · Five Points, CAWhile performing an ag flight the helicopter's engin suddenly lost power. At the time the aircraft was near its max allowable gross weight and it was between 3-5FT AGL. As the aircraft yawed left and descended. The pilot in command attempted to land on a…NTSB LAX84LA494Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH12ET · Yuma, AZThe pilot stated that he was carrying a load of pesticide for application on a broccoli field. The aircraft was in level flight, approximately 4 to 8 feet AGL when it became uncontrollable and impacted the ground. The aircraft was consumed by a post crash…NTSB SEA84LA174Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Redmond, ORThe acft collided with the ground after a in-flt main rotor blade separation during an aerial application flt. Inspection of the fracture surface of the failed blade revealed characteristics consistant with the high stress, low cycle fatigue. Lab findings…NTSB MKC84LA205Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller H-23D · Neelyville, MOThe acft rolled over during an emergency landing. The plt claimed that the rotor disengaged at about 30 ft AGL during takeoff. After the accident the upper half of the yoke control was found fractured. A lab report stated that no materialdefects were related…NTSB NYC84LA212Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller 12E · Meadville, PAThe acft flew into wires during a crop spraying mission. The acft was flying at about 5-10 ft when a flash was seen overhead. The acft vibrated and slowed before impacting the ground and rolling over.NTSB 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…NTSB LAX84LA294Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E (Soloy) · Delano, CAThe helicopter experienced an inflt failure of an eng mount, pn 63181-5, which bent the collective control rod & forced the the collective pitch into the up position. The helicopter then settled into the grapes it was spraying & made a hard landing. An…NTSB SEA84LA091Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Buxton, ORThe helicopter entered an uncontrolled right roll while lifting off from a trailer & struck the ground with the m/r. the plt reported the trailer was not level.NTSB LAX84LA194Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47-G4A · Dixon, CAThe acft crashed during a forced landing after the engine quit. The plt stated that, 'three minutes into the crop dusting mission the engine quit and he suspected fuel mismanagement.'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…