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NTSB investigations: Lycoming VO-540 series, FL

17 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

19672026

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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'FL' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA' 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.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'FL' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA'
    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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'FL' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  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 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…Sep 6, 2026 · N797WS · Substantial damage 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.Feb 11, 2002 · N103HA · Substantial damage NTSB ATL96LA104Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Cottondale, FLfailure of the main rotor drive torsional coupling and inner gimbal ring, which resulted in jamming of the flight controls during an attempted autorotation.Jul 11, 1996 · N102HT · Substantial damage NTSB MIA94LA216Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-2A · Moore Haven, FLThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain a visual lookout while maneuvering on a swath run, resulting in an in-flight collision with wires, and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain.Sep 23, 1994 · N30JJ · Destroyed NTSB MIA94LA029Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHiller UH-12E · Moore Haven, FLFailure of the pilot-in-command to maintain aircraft control following loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.Nov 26, 1993 · N130HA · Substantial damage 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…Jul 18, 1988 · N108HA · Substantial damage 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…Jun 1, 1988 · N4029R · Substantial damage 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…Oct 24, 1987 · N73201 · Substantial damage 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…Aug 7, 1987 · N8523F · Substantial damage NTSB MIA82DA181Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportBell 47G4 · Madison, FLThe eng did not respond when power was added beginning a swath run. The plt hit the dump button to jettison the load & collided with the ground. Eng teardown revealed no evidence of failure or malfunction prior to the accident.Sep 13, 1982 · N1151W · Substantial damage NTSB MIA82DA133Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBell 47G-4 · N. Greenville, FLThe pilot took off at about 1922 to dispense a non-toxic liquid chemical and fertilizer on a nearby melon field. After one normal swath run on a northerly heading, he pulled up and began a procedure turn to the left (west). He stated the afternoon sun…Jun 11, 1982 · N1151W · Substantial damage NTSB MIA82DA125Accident · No injuriesFinal reportBell 47J-2A · Marathon, FLThe pilot reported that an intermittent vibration was felt during the magneto check before takeoff. During a second magneto check at high power, the nose of the helicopter came up, a loud explosive noise was heard, and a fire erupted near the left fuel tank.…May 29, 1982 · N73268 · Destroyed NTSB MIA79FLD39Accident · No injuriesClosedBell 47J-2A · Kissimmee, FLFeb 14, 1979 · N8567F · Substantial damage NTSB MIA79FA095Accident · Serious injuriesClosedHiller UH-12E · Homestead, FLJan 29, 1979 · N527HA · Destroyed NTSB MIA71DKT37Accident · No injuriesClosedBrantly 305 · Boca Raton, FLNov 5, 1970 · N2226U · Substantial damage NTSB MIA67A0102Accident · Minor injuriesClosedBell 47J-2 · Starke, FLMar 31, 1967 · N73258 · Substantial damage NTSB MIA67A0095Accident · Minor injuriesClosedBell 47J-2A · Miami Beach, FLMar 20, 1967 · N73990 · Substantial damage