NTSB investigations: Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG, CA

222 cases on aircraft whose registry engine model is Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG. 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

19642026
NTSB investigations: Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG, CA per year, 1964–2026: 222 cases
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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.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'CA' 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 ('99999'))
  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 WPR27FA012Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldInvestigation openGugger David RV-7A · Petaluma, CAOct 7, 2026 · N425DGNTSB WPR26LA293Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedInvestigation openP Z L -Warszawa-Cnpsl PZL-104 Wilga 35A · Ukiah, CAAug 7, 2026 · N113AS · Substantial damageNTSB WPR26LA213Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportMoose SR 2500 · Sonoma, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a go-around in shifting wind conditions, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.May 27, 2026 · N135DS · Substantial damageNTSB WPR26LA115Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportMightyfly MF-100 · Atwater, CAA control system anomaly, which resulted in the overload and failure of one of the propulsion motor systems during the transition from hover to forward flight.Mar 2, 2026 · N258MF · DestroyedNTSB WPR26LA015Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172S · Lathrop, CAAn inflight collision with a bird.Oct 4, 2025 · N103VK · Substantial damageNTSB DCA25LA174Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPyka Pelican · Dixon, CAThe flight control system’s unanticipated transition to takeoff abort mode due to a software error in the autonomous flight control system, which resulted in a premature throttle reduction and hard landing.Mar 28, 2025 · N939NP · Substantial damageNTSB WPR25LA112Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEnstrom 280FX · Waterford, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from water while operating at a low altitude.Mar 15, 2025 · N402TA · DestroyedNTSB WPR25LA083Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCharles E Spencer CCK-1865 · Vacaville, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.Jan 24, 2025 · N730CS · Substantial damageNTSB WPR24FA309Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportNanchang China CJ-6A · Lancaster, CAThe CJ-6A pilot’s failure to maintain separation and the Yak pilot’s failure to monitor the other airplane during a detachment, which resulted in a midair collision.Sep 22, 2024 · N313YK · 2 aircraft · Substantial damageNTSB WPR24LA317Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportYakovlev YAK-50 · Watsonville, CAThe Yak-50 pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from another airplane while taxiing and maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inattention due to a distraction inside the cockpit.Sep 20, 2024 · N613BM · 2 aircraft · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23LA361Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportGleim James M MG-1 · Madera, CAAn emergency landing on uneven terrain that resulted in the loss of directional control during landing.Sep 28, 2023 · N126GM · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23LA352Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportWayne Toddun Sling 4 TSI · San Pedro, CAA total loss of engine power due to a failure of the No. 4 cylinder exhaust valve from overheating and excessive wear.Sep 25, 2023 · N135WT · Substantial damageNTSB DCA23LA397Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSupernal SUP83-1 · California City, CAA loss of control in flight due to a loss of electrical power to one of the lift-motors.Aug 3, 2023 · N183TD · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22FA332Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeech 58 · Galt, CAThe certified flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the airplane and inadequate supervision of the flight, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin from which he could not recover.Sep 4, 2022 · N142DR · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22LA150Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportAlexander Schleicher ASK 21 · Valyermo, CAThe gliders encounter with atmospheric conditions where the lift was not sufficient to maintain flight and subsequent impact with mountainous terrain.Apr 8, 2022 · N212NM · Substantial damageNTSB DCA22FA082Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · FieldFinal reportJoby Aero JAS4-2 · Jolon, CAThe separation of a propeller blade during expansion flight testing that resulted in cascading effects to include the separation of multiple propulsion motor/propeller assemblies and the loss of remote pilot control of the aircraft. Contributing to the…Feb 16, 2022 · N542AJ · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22FA048Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportZenith Zodiac CH601XL · Temecula, CAThe failure of the airplane’s canopy latch system, which resulted in the canopy opening in flight and a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the lack of a secondary canopy latch as recommended by the kit manufacturer.Nov 23, 2021 · N601KS · DestroyedNTSB WPR22LA015Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportWsk-Mielec AN-2TD · Wilton, CAThe pilot’s inability to control the airplane’s pitch during departure for reasons that could not be determined because of the extensive fragmentation and thermal damage the airplane sustained in the accident sequence.Oct 14, 2021 · N857PF · Substantial damageNTSB WPR22LA006Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportBevilacqua Jeffrey L Dragonfly Mkiih · Camarillo, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during takeoffOct 10, 2021 · N186JB · Substantial damageNTSB WPR21LA071Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCo Z Cozy · Compton, CAThe partial loss of engine power due to an improperly installed sparkplug.Nov 17, 2020 · N82V · Substantial damageNTSB WPR20LA026Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA 18 · Livermore, CAThe improper installation of the flight control stick, which resulted in separation of the flight control stick from the stick stub assembly and an uncontrolled descent and impact with terrain.Nov 16, 2019 · N8589D · Substantial damageNTSB WPR20LA007Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportHiller UH 12E · Susanville, CAA partial loss of engine power due to multiple overtemperature events and a hot start event, which resulted in thermally damaged internal components of the engine. Contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain on which to perform the forced…Oct 14, 2019 · N131HA · Substantial damageNTSB WPR20FA005Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBede BD5 · Camarillo, CAThe No. 4 connecting rod’s bearing shift and separation of the No. 4 connecting rod, which resulted in a total loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing.Oct 8, 2019 · N501BD · Substantial damageNTSB WPR19FA172Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportNanchang CJ6 · Porter Ranch, CAThe pilot’s continued flight into marginal visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.Jun 15, 2019 · N269AG · Substantial damageNTSB GAA19CA324Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportDavid Shotwell Murphy · South Lake Tahoe, CAThe pilot's failure to properly tighten his seat belt, which allowed him to slide forward in his seat and resulted in his inadvertent application of excessive brake application during the landing roll and a subsequent noseover.Jun 9, 2019 · N235DS · Substantial damageNTSB GAA19CA241Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportStemme S 10 · Sonoma, CAThe pilot's improper decision to land with a tailwind and his failure to maintain a proper approach, which resulted in a long landing, a runway overrun, and impact with a tree.May 3, 2019 · N2280X · Substantial damageNTSB WPR19FA118Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportNorthrop N9M · Norco, CAThe pilot's loss of control for undetermined reasons.Apr 22, 2019 · N9MB · DestroyedNTSB WPR19LA058Accident · 2 fatalClass 2 · LimitedFinal reportBeech A36 · Colusa, CAThe pilot's loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation shortly after takeoff in instrument meteorological conditions.Jan 7, 2019 · N100JB · DestroyedNTSB GAA19CA075Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportDarren M. Vinelli Sopwith PUP · Rio Vista, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusting tailwind conditions.Nov 26, 2018 · N1916Z · Substantial damageNTSB GAA19CA068Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportSilveira Jonathan A Sonex · Corona, CAThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid the airplane on the runway while landing and the pilot receiving instruction’s and flight instructor's failure to properly scan the approach before pulling onto the runway during the takeoff.Nov 19, 2018 · N322JS · 2 aircraft · Substantial damageNTSB WPR18LA233Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBlue Oak CCK-1865 · Deadwood, CAA loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and the pilot's failure to ensure that the left-wing fuel cap was secure before flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to monitor fuel levels while in flight.Aug 20, 2018 · N14CK · Substantial damageNTSB WPR18TA122Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3Final reportWilhelm Puslar · Salton City, CAThe pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to perform the loss of engine power emergency procedures, which likely would have restored engine…Apr 18, 2018 · N332RP · Substantial damageNTSB WPR17LA214Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSC Aerostar YAK 52W · El Cajon, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during taxi after a reduction in braking performance and steering capabilities due to his failure to reopen the air supply valve after the nonstandard engine start.Sep 23, 2017 · N52KF · Substantial damageNTSB WPR17LA094Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportYakovlev YAK 52 · Porterville, CAA partial loss of engine power due to contaminants in the fuel system that decreased the fuel flow, the source of which could not be determined.Apr 29, 2017 · N132MD · Substantial damageNTSB WPR17FA091Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportNanchang CJ6A · Keene, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control following a descent into clouds.Apr 27, 2017 · N192NG · DestroyedNTSB WPR17FA089Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportAppleby Nieuport 28 · Paso Robles, CAThe failure of unknown personnel to properly safety an elevator control cable turnbuckle, which disconnected in flight resulting in loss of pitch control. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate design of the experimental airplane, which did not…Apr 23, 2017 · N6190 · Substantial damageNTSB GAA17CA184Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCSP Leasing Cavalon · Santa Maria, CAThe student pilot’s improper landing flare and subsequent failure to maintain crosswind correction during landing in crosswind conditions.Mar 10, 2017 · N425AG · Substantial damageNTSB WPR17LA067Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGuarino Vans · Marysville, CAA partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined due to the fragmentation of the electrical system.Feb 24, 2017 · N470LM · Substantial damageNTSB WPR17LA032Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHoskins Lonnie F Velocity XL RG · Petaluma, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an aborted landing, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an inadvertent aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction while on…Dec 4, 2016 · N84KJ · Substantial damageNTSB GAA17CA034Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportYakovlev YAK · Tracy, CAThe pilot’s unstabilized approach and delayed application of full throttle for a go-around, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent.Oct 23, 2016 · N38YK · Substantial damageNTSB GAA16CA489Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBurkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G109 · Emigrant Gap, CAThe pilot's inappropriate decision to continue the flight into higher elevation under high-density altitude conditions, which degraded the glider's climb performance and resulted in impact with trees short of the intended runway.Sep 9, 2016 · N909G · Substantial damageNTSB WPR16LA149Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSwartz Gene Titan T 51 Mustang · Lancaster, CAA total loss of engine power due to the separation of a flywheel magnet, which impacted the attachment bracket for the primary and secondary ignition and disrupted the timing of the ignition system, rendering it inoperative.Jul 23, 2016 · N5103 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR16LA134Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell OH 58A · Brawley, CAThe engine's degraded performance due to excessive wear of the engine bleed valve, which prevented it from closing during the accident flight. Contributing to the accident was the operator's failure to overhaul the bleed valve within the…Jul 2, 2016 · N6251G · Substantial damageNTSB WPR16LA110Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSeguin Quickie · Mojave, CAA loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.May 13, 2016 · N68TQ · DestroyedNTSB WPR16LA096Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportDG Flugzeugbau DG 800B · Clements, CAThe motorglider pilot's decision to perform an in-flight engine start with insufficient altitude, which resulted in an off-airport landing and collision with trees after the engine did not start. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's distraction by the…Apr 25, 2016 · N800YG · Substantial damageNTSB WPR16LA050Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMoore Onex · Fresno, CAThe pilot/builder's failure to properly align the Force One Main Bearing, which resulted in a blockage of the oil transfer hole and culminated with a total engine power loss. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to arrest the bank and sink…Jan 10, 2016 · N1950J · Substantial damageNTSB WPR15LA230Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman G164 - B · Princeton, CAThe loss of engine power during an agricultural application flight due to a cylinder failure.Aug 4, 2015 · N48452 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR15FA121Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportRyan Aeronautical ST3KR · Santa Monica, CAA total loss of engine power during initial climb when the carburetor main metering jet became unseated, which led to an extremely rich fuel-to-air ratio. Contributing to the accident was the lack of adequate carburetor maintenance instructions. Contributing…Mar 5, 2015 · N53178 · Substantial damageNTSB WPR15LA104Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportScottish Bulldog - 120 121 · Hayward, CAA total loss of engine power during the initial climb due to fuel contamination. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection of the fuel system.Feb 15, 2015 · N706BD · Substantial damageNTSB WPR15FA016Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSonex Sonex Trigear · Fawnskin, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed after takeoff, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall/spin at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the airplane's reduced climb…Oct 20, 2014 · N91922 · Substantial damage