Probable cause: A partial loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because extensive fire damage precluded thorough examination of the engine and its associated systems.
NTSB Accidents
Non-certificated pilot crashes into house
Probable cause: The noncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from residential buildings and trees in gusting wind conditions.
High operating temperatures lead to melted engine parts
Probable cause: A total loss of engine power due to the engine’s unresolved high operating temperatures, which resulted in failure of the distributor rotor and drive shaft, and the pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed during the subsequent forced landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.
Bird strike brings down Cessna 172
Probable cause: An in-flight collision with a bird during the approach.
Pilot dies when hand-propping goes awry
Probable cause: The pilot’s improper starting procedure before hand propping the engine, and his subsequent attempt to stop the moving airplane, which resulted in him being struck by the propeller.
VFR into IMC bends Piper, injures pilot
Probable cause: The noninstrument-rated pilot’s improper decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
Plane destroyed after hitting truck on runway
Probable cause: The pilot’s inability to avoid a collision with an unauthorized vehicle on the runway during the landing roll and the truck driver’s decision to cross the runway in front of the airplane.
Plane crashes after CFI and student wrestle over controls
Probable cause: The flight instructor’s failure to perform a go-around during final approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s failure to brief the student pilot on the positive transfer of aircraft control during preflight.
Leaking fuel cap leads to fuel exhaustion
Probable cause: The pilot’s improper decision to take off with a known fuel leak, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.








