Probable Cause: A total loss of engine power due to water-contaminated fuel.
aviation accidents
Frustrated Pilot Takes Off With Fuel Selector on Empty Tank
Probable Cause: A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and the pilot’s mismanagement of the available fuel.
Corrosion Cause of Gear-Up Landing
Probable Cause: Corrosion on a landing gear retract rod assembly, which precluded an extension of the gear and resulted in a gear-up landing.
Zip Tie Fix Fails to Prevent Inflight Engine Fire
Probable Cause: The pilot’s inadequate inspection of the airplane following an inflight smoke event, which resulted in separation of the exhaust pipe and hot exhaust igniting the engine cowling, and a subsequent loss of engine power.
After the Accident
A pilot who did everything right but was still in an accident shares the lessons he learned in its aftermath, from dealing with the NTSB, FAA, and insurance companies, to handling the Seven Stages of Grief.
Pilot Crashes From Fuel Exhaustion on Way to Buy Cheaper Fuel
Probable Cause: The pilot’s improper preflight fuel planning that resulted in the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Human Factors: When Over and Above Isn’t Enough
A March 2024 accident where the engine failed “without warning” raises the question of whether an “old school” technique might be able to catch problems newer tools miss.
Crankshaft Fatigue Fracture Leads to Emergency Landing
Probable Cause: A total loss of engine power due to a fatigue fracture of the crankshaft.
Contaminated Fuel Injector Assembly Results in Forced Landing
Probable Cause: A partial loss of engine power due to a combination of fuel/oil contamination in the fuel injector assembly.