Final NTSB investigations: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5
150 cases on aircraft whose registry engine model is Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5. 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.\"completionStatus\" = 'Completed'
AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.engine_model_code IN ('41899'))
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."completionStatus" = 'Completed'
AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.engine_model_code IN ('41899'))
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 CEN21LA284Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Reserve, LAA total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN21LA173Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Dustin, OKThe pilot’s insufficient monitoring of the helicopter’s power while flying at low altitude and at low airspeed, which resulted in the loss of rotor rpm and impact with a tree and terrain.NTSB CEN21LA109Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Albany, TXThe pilot’s inadequate pretakeoff checks which resulted in the magneto switch (key) remaining in the OFF position during the takeoff sequence and initial climb and the right magneto grounding intermittently.NTSB CEN21LA077Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Marietta, TXThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid a transmission wire during takeoff.NTSB ERA21LA046Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R44 · Austell, GAThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain adequate clearance above the gravel surface in a hover, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.NTSB WPR20LA119Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R44 · Hillsboro, ORThe total loss of engine power during takeoff due to the delamination of the fuel servo induction air inlet duct tube.NTSB CEN20LA442Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Sterling City, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an aerial application flight.NTSB CEN20CA085Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Marfa, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a fence during low-altitude maneuvering.NTSB ERA20LA054Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R44 · San Antonio, TXMaintenance personnel’s failure to complete all necessary steps of a service bulletin and subsequent failure to identify the loose lower actuator bearing support bracket during inspections, which resulted in the misalignment of the clutch actuator, resulted…NTSB GAA19CA531Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Nuiqsut, AKThe pilot's improper decision to land downwind from unsecured debris, which resulted in the helicopter’s main rotor disk ingesting foreign objects.NTSB CEN19LA250Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Lyons, NEThe engine's low cylinder compression, which resulted in low rotor rpm and a subsequent dynamic rollover following landing on soft terrain.NTSB GAA19CA473Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Fessenden, NDThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires during an agricultural application flight.NTSB CEN19LA240Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R44 · Blair, NEThe failure of the lower actuator bearing support bracket, which resulted in the misalignment of the clutch actuator, the loss of belt tension on the main rotor drive system, and the subsequent forced landing on sloped terrain.NTSB GAA19CA428Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Council Bluff, IAThe pilot's improper cyclic input during liftoff from a landing deck, which resulted in the right skid hooking onto an opening on the landing deck and a subsequent dynamic rollover.NTSB ERA19TA204Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3Final reportRobinson R44 · Parsons, WVThe pilot's decision to maneuver the helicopter at low altitude over a river, which resulted in a wire strike and subsequent collision with terrain.NTSB CEN19TA178Accident · No injuriesClass 3Final reportRobinson R44 · La Ward, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control during a course reversal, which resulted in impact with terrain.NTSB GAA19CA476Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Lebanon, MOThe pilot's loss of yaw control and failure to maintain a proper descent rate and his subsequent improper use of the collective instead of the antitorque pedals to correct the yaw, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB CEN19LA162Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R44 · Last Chance, COThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm while descending with a tailwind during an aerial application maneuver, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent into terrain.NTSB CEN19FA160Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R44 · Cass, ARA loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB ERA19FA142Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 II · Tampa, FLContamination of and an inadequate bond between the two layers of fabric comprising the helicopter engine's air induction inlet duct, which resulted a partial collapse of the duct, obstruction of the airflow into the engine, and a total loss of engine power.NTSB CEN19LA065Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Uvalde, TXThe slipping of the sprag clutch due to galling of the sprags and corresponding sprag contact surfaces within the clutch assembly, which rendered the helicopter uncontrollable.NTSB GAA19CA110Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Grace, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines.NTSB GAA19CA066Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Lihue, HIThe passenger’s improper decision to hold her cell phone outside the helicopter, which resulted in it departing the helicopter and striking the tail rotor.NTSB WPR19LA002Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R44 · Salinas, CAThe partial loss of engine power after takeoff due to faulty wiring to the engine governor.NTSB GAA18CA534Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Girdwood, AKThe fisherman's fishing rod striking the helicopter’s rotating main rotor disk during loading.NTSB GAA18CA453Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Elma, IAThe pilot's failure maintain clearance from power lines during an agricultural application flight.NTSB GAA18CA430Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Okawville, ILThe pilot's improper preflight weight and balance calculation, which resulted in his operating the helicopter over its maximum gross takeoff weight and in its subsequent failure to climb.NTSB ERA18LA161Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Fort Morgan, ALA partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident engine examinations did not reveal any evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB WPR18LA133Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Borrego Springs, CAThe loss of the helicopter’s drive system for reasons that could not be determined from the available evidence, which led to an autorotation that resulted in a hard landing and rollover on uneven sandy terrain.NTSB CEN18LA087Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Loveland, COThe airplane pilot’s failure to see and avoid the helicopter while in the traffic pattern, which resulted in a midair collision between the two aircraft. Contributing to the accident was the airplane pilot’s misunderstanding of the helicopter pilot’s…NTSB GAA18CA089Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Newark, OHThe pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control of the helicopter during takeoff, which resulted in dynamic rollover.NTSB GAA18CA066Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · New Orleans, LAThe pilot’s failure to land the helicopter with both skids on the trailer platform, which resulted in a loss of control.NTSB WPR18LA031Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Page, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain pitch control of the helicopter while transitioning from a hover to forward flight.NTSB ANC17LA040Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Solomon, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude above water, and his loss of situational awareness, which resulted in an inadvertent descent and collision with water.NTSB WPR17LA159Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Van Nuys, CAAn improper repair of the right magneto's tachometer and governor signal wire, which failed during cruise flight and initiated a simultaneous malfunction of both the engine tachometer and governor control system, which resulted in erroneous and contradictory…NTSB GAA17CA401Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Paoli, INThe pilot's decision to maneuver an overgross weight helicopter at a low altitude and airspeed with a gusting tailwind, which resulted in a high descent rate and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to…NTSB GAA17CA383Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Easton, PAThe pilot’s distraction during liftoff due to the tail rotor chip warning light illuminating, which resulted in the helicopter drifting right, the skid touching down, and a dynamic roll-over.NTSB WPR17LA140Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Bella Vista, CAA partial loss of engine power during low-altitude maneuvering for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examinations of the engine and airframe revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have…NTSB CEN17LA219Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Douglas, WYThe pilot's inability to control the helicopter's descent after encountering a sudden wind shift to a tailwind while performing a near maximum gross weight landing at a high density altitude.NTSB CEN17FA209Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Dimmitt, TXThe pilot's incapacitation due to scarring from previous heart attacks and severe hypertrophy of the left ventricular wall which resulted in arrhythmia and a loss of control while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB ERA17LA168Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Newton, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during out-of-ground-effect maneuvering at a low airspeed with a tailwind, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.NTSB GAA17CA070Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Stone Lake, WIThe pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control while in a hover and the helicopter’s subsequent impact with a tree.NTSB WPR16LA165Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Gunnison, UTA total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.NTSB GAA16CA297Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Chireno, TXThe student pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in the helicopter rolling over during landing, and substantial damage to the tail boom.NTSB GAA16CA160Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Oak Island, NCThe student pilot's failure to maintain a stabilized hover, resulting in a loss of control and an impact with terrain.NTSB ANC16IA013Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Anchorage, AKThe overhaul facility's improper and excessive use of an approved lubricant during overhaul of the fuel injection servo, which resulted in a disruption of fuel flow and a total loss of engine power.NTSB ANC16LA010Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Valdez, AKThe overhaul facility’s improper and excessive use of an approved lubricant during overhaul of the fuel injection servo, which resulted in a disruption of fuel flow and a total loss of engine power.NTSB CEN16LA039Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Alpine, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate rotor speed while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in a descent from which he was unable to recover. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to conduct the flight at or near the helicopter's…NTSB GAA16CA006Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Devine, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance during the takeoff, which resulted in the helicopter striking power lines.NTSB CEN15LA439Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Alice, TXA loss of engine power during a practice power recovery autorotation for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.