NTSB investigations, IA

31 cases where the first occurrence was “Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf”.

Cases per year

19822026
NTSB investigations, IA per year, 1982–2026: 31 cases
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19833
19842
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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\" = 'IA' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA'
    AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT o.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.\"occurrenceNumber\" = 1 AND o.\"occurrenceCode\" = 351)
  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 CHI04LA185Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportVarga 2150A · Winterset, IAThe inadequate supervision by the certified flight instructor, fuel starvation, visual/aural detection precluded by the certified flight instructor's seat position, and the inadequate crew coordination of both pilots during the instructional flight. A…Jul 17, 2004 · N8422J · Substantial damageNTSB CHI04LA187Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Algona, IAThe failure of the connecting rod which resulted in the loss of engine power during cruise flight and subsequent forced landing. A contributing factor was the delayed lowering of the landing gear in order to clear the other vehicle encountered during the…Jul 2, 2004 · N3248T · Substantial damageNTSB CHI04LA019Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech A36 · Davenport, IAA loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the improper installation of the fuel nozzle. Also causal was the engine manufacturer's improper installation instructions for the nozzle pressure port plug on the fuel manifold valve. A factor…Oct 16, 2003 · N25496 · Substantial damageNTSB CHI03LA059Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 210 · Clarence, IAA failure of the crankshaft for undetermined reasons. Factors associated with the accident were the rough terrain on which the forced landing was made and the night conditions.Jan 24, 2003 · N6572X · Substantial damageNTSB CHI97LA097Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-235 · Des Moines, IAoil contamination and starvation due to the inadequate maintenance inspection of the pilot/owner. Factors included the deterioration of the piston pin plug, the connecting rod failure, and the unsuitable terrain for landing.Apr 2, 1997 · N9004W · Substantial damageNTSB CHI97LA050Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46 · Red Oak, IAthe pilot's inadequate preflight and failure to make a precautionary landing. Additional factors included oil starvation and the failed connecting rod and rod bearing.Dec 19, 1996 · N446RD · Substantial damageNTSB CHI95LA211Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportFirst Strike Bobcat · Burlington, IAfatigue failure of a copper fuel line at the carburetor ferrule fitting, which resulted in fuel starvation. The proximity of trees was a related factor.Jul 7, 1995 · N412LF · DestroyedNTSB CHI95FA071Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBacon QUESTAIR-VENTURE · Des Moines, IAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the emergency descent, resulting in a stall/spin. Factors were material defects in the material used to manufacture the crankshaft, resulting in the crankshaft fracturing after approximately 200 hours in…Jan 21, 1995 · N4QV · DestroyedNTSB CHI95LA048Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-201T · La Porte City, IAa material defect which resulted in the fatigue failure of the crankshaft and the aircraft owner's failure to comply with a Mandatory Service Bulletin addressing the defect. A factor related to the accident was the rough terrain on which the forced landing…Nov 29, 1994 · N1194H · Substantial damageNTSB CHI94LA302Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportFrith Challenger II · Fairfield, IAthe total failure and separation of the propeller system drive belt. Obstacles (powerlines and pole) were a factor in the accident.Aug 27, 1994 · N7051P · Substantial damageNTSB CHI93LA345Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech P35 · Ottumwa, IAan oil leak in the oil filter adapter. A factor was landing in a crop field.Aug 31, 1993 · N8527M · Substantial damageNTSB CHI93LA197Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 210L · Indianola, IAA fatigue fracture of the crankshaft.Jun 6, 1993 · N2267S · Substantial damageNTSB CHI92DCD07Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportBernard W. Resnik ACRO-SPECIAL · Earlham, IAA loss of total engine power when a failed flapper valve in the air box blocked the flow of air through the carburetor throat.Jul 2, 1992 · N79WA · Substantial damageNTSB CHI92LA051Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLuscombe 8-F · Chapin, IAFailed connecting rod which resulted in a catastrophic engine failure. A factor related to the accident was unsuitable terrain.Dec 11, 1991 · N1871B · Substantial damageNTSB MKC89LA064Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172B · Unionville, IAThe failure of the engine due to carburetor ice. Contributing factors included carburetor icing conditions, improper use of the carburetor heat control by the pilot, and the improperly rigged carburetor air box which resulted in reduced carburetor heating…Feb 25, 1989 · N7662X · Substantial damageNTSB MKC88LA174Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBeech A23 · Davenport, IAThe PIC said there was a loud metallic explosion in the engine compartment. When the acft was about 7 miles from the destination apt and beginning a descent. The aircraft began vibrating violently and the windshield became covered with engine oil. Attempts…Sep 15, 1988 · N6917Q · Substantial damageNTSB MKC88LA142Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportShirlan Dickey E-RACER · Dubuque, IAAt a fuel stop in Dubuque, IA the PIC purchased fuel for the final leg of his flt to oshkosh. After a pre-flt chk and subsequent eng runup, the PIC took the active rwy and commenced a takeoff roll. The lift off and initial climb went without difficulty until…Jul 29, 1988 · N131RD · Substantial damageNTSB MKC87LA116Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 188-B · Sigourney, IADuring an unloaded re-positioning flt to begin an aerial application operation, the PIC experienced a total engine failure. A forced ldg was attempted and acft hit a ditch and was substantially damaged.Jun 3, 1987 · N21711 · Substantial damageNTSB MKC86FCD03Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportRoger Warnell KR-1 · Waterloo, IAThe pilot reported that he had carburetor problems. The engine quit and the pilot made a forced landing about one mile from airport. This was the pilots first flight in this aircraft.Aug 17, 1986 · N49RW · DestroyedNTSB MKC86LA091Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRockwell S-2R · Salem, IAThe pilot states that the engine quit without warning as he was spraying a wheatfield. Pilot further states that he had very little time to pick a suitable landing area. He landed in hilly terrain and slid sideways into a crest, tearing out the right main…Apr 17, 1986 · N4949X · Substantial damageNTSB MKC86LA084Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301T · Perry, IAShortly after takeoff the PIC noticed a loss of engine pwr and flames erupting from the engine cowling. The PIC executed a turn back to the arpt as thick black smoke filled the cockpit. The PIC opened the side vent window to maintain sight of the ground and…Apr 10, 1986 · N8178N · Substantial damageNTSB MKC85LA163Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Forest City, IAShortly after the acft took off with 4 skydivers on board, its eng seized at an alt of about 300 to 400 ft. the plt selected the best available area to land which was a field of tall corn on rolling terrain. During the emerg landing, the acft nosed over.…Jul 20, 1985 · N5699B · Substantial damageNTSB MKC85LA164Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBrantly Helicopter B-2 · Denison, IAPlt reports that the eng idle setting was too low and the eng quit when he reduced power during a practice autorotation. The acft touched down hard and the main rotor contacted tail boom.Jul 3, 1985 · N6799D · Substantial damageNTSB MKC85LA115Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269C · West Liberty, IAOn a downwind swath run the helicopter experienced an eng failure and the plt entered an autorotation. The plt then made a hard landing which resulted in substantial damage. Inspection of the engine revealed that the nut which retains the gear to crankshaft…May 29, 1985 · N8976F · Substantial damageNTSB MKC84FA235Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper PA32R300 · Des Moines, IAThe acft eng began to 'shudder badly' upon reaching a cruise alt of 3500 ft MSL shortly after takeoff. The plt made a 180 deg course reversal to return to the arpt but reported to ATC he was unable to see outside the acft because oil was smeared on the acft.…Jul 30, 1984 · N1654H · Substantial damageNTSB MKC84LA129Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · 5n 0lin, IAWhile cruising at 3,000 ft MSL the eng ran rough. The flt noticed zero oil pressure. As he turned toward a bean field the eng failed. The acft collided with a ditch & nosed over. The eng was disassembled & an estimated 3-4 qts of oil were in the eng case. The…Apr 25, 1984 · N5010R · Substantial damageNTSB MKC83LA197Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportArrow Arrow Sport · Red Oak, IADuring flt, there was a progressive loss of eng power. The plt was unable to reach the arpt & made a crash landing in a soybean fld. An investigation revealed that the #4 cylinder failed in the area of the exhaust valve rocker box.Aug 20, 1983 · N853H · Substantial damageNTSB MKC83LA147Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSteen Skybolt · Denver, IAThe pilot stated that on departure when the aircraft was 100 to 150 feet above the ground, the engine quit. He made a left turn toward more suitable terrain and the engine started up again. Before he could get set up for a more suitable field, the engine quit…Jul 7, 1983 · N407L · Substantial damageNTSB MKC83LA142Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Corning, IAThe acft crashed in a swamp during a forced landing after the engine seized. The pilot noted a lack of oil pressure and rising oil temperature. He dumped his load and began to return to land. The engine began to run rough and soon seized. Post accident…Jul 2, 1983 · N4838Y · Substantial damageNTSB MKC82DA068Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportBeech M35 · Ottumwa, IADuring flight, the engine RPM exceeded its maximum limit. The pilot attempted to reduce the RPM by using the propeller control, but this had no effect. The pilot was in the process of shutting down the engine when engine oil sprayed out the cowling and onto…May 2, 1982 · N313Z · Substantial damageNTSB MKC82DA017Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna 177RG · Urbandale, IAAfter takeoff, the engine lost power at about 2000 ft MSL. The plane was damaged during a forced landing on an interstate highway. When checked after the accident, the engine would start but lost power when accelerated above 1000 RPM. The bendix servo fuel…Jan 19, 1982 · N1969Q · Substantial damage