# NTSB investigations: Piper PA-28-140: Loss of control in flight

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

## Latest cases

- [NTSB CEN26FA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26FA093.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Holly Springs, MS · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Jan 18, 2026 · N6711J · Destroyed
  > On January 18, 2026, about 1640 central standard time, a Piper PA28-140 airplane, N6711J, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Holly Springs, Mississippi. The flight instructor and student pilot were fatally injured. The airplane was…
- [NTSB ERA25LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA025.md): Piper PA28 · Fairmont, WV · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 27, 2024 · N926MK · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper flare, which resulted in a bounced landing and subsequent loss of directional control.
- [NTSB CEN24FA327](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA327.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Wayne, NE · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 26, 2024 · N9626K · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s encounter with instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of control.
- [NTSB WPR23LA334](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA334.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Prescott, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 2, 2023 · N6834W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot-in-command’s inadequate preflight planning for the high density altitude and relative humidity conditions and his failure to recognize the need to reject the takeoff, allowing the student pilot to execute an abnormally long takeoff roll and apply…
- [NTSB CEN23FA304](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA304.md): Piper PA28 · Osage Beach, MO · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 13, 2023 · N8225N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to properly set the stabilator trim before takeoff, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall during takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA23FA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA103.md): Piper PA28 · Suffolk, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 7, 2023 · N592FL · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to fly the airplane without confirming it had been released from maintenance, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power due to loose magnetos. Contributing to the outcome was the pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and…
- [NTSB ERA23LA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA105.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Paris, KY · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 5, 2023 · N6111W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of control after encountering changing wind conditions during the initial climb, which resulted in descent and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN22LA303](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA303.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Oklahoma City, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 2, 2022 · N270SA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed for unknown reasons during the initial climb, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN22LA239](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA239.md): Piper PA-28-140 · New Braunfels, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 9, 2022 · N3798K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
- [NTSB CEN22FA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA067.md): Piper PA 28-140 · Houston, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 9, 2021 · N3865K · Destroyed
  > The student pilot’s decision to depart into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB ERA21LA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA183.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Weyers Cave, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 12, 2021 · N7242F · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel’s inadequate inspection of the rudder control system, which resulted in failure of the rudder control assembly and the pilot’s loss of control during a go-around.
- [NTSB GAA21WA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA21WA027.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Ilopango, El Salvador · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Feb 20, 2021 · N95207 · Destroyed
- [NTSB WPR20FA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20FA079.md): Piper PA28 · Payson, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 24, 2020 · N3672K · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to fly into a canyon with rising terrain, and his subsequent loss of aircraft control while maneuvering away from rising terrain.
- [NTSB ERA20CA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA110.md): Piper PA28 · Cortland, NY · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 24, 2019 · N7450R · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain the runway heading during takeoff, which resulted in impact with a snowbank and a subsequent nose-over.
- [NTSB CEN20FA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20FA038.md): Piper PA28 · Evansville, IN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 21, 2019 · N601FL · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane.
- [NTSB ERA19CA289](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19CA289.md): Piper PA28 · Winder, GA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 28, 2019 · N6412W · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s loss of airplane control, the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, and the student's delay in relinquishing the flight controls, which resulted in the airplane striking a runway sign during a go-around.
- [NTSB GAA18CA542](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA542.md): Piper PA28 · Chino, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 9, 2018 · N7205J · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain lateral control during the aborted landing.
- [NTSB ERA18FA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA150.md): Piper PA28 · Chesapeake, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 22, 2018 · N6177W · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation during the departure climb in instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB GAA17CA322](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA322.md): Piper PA28 · Gilbert, SC · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 27, 2017 · N5544J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper glidepath in variable wind conditions, which resulted in the airplane impacting terrain short of the runway threshold.
- [NTSB GAA17CA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA103.md): Piper PA28 · Shreveport, LA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 22, 2016 · N9541W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions during the go-around, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB GAA17CA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA035.md): Piper PA 28 · Fresno, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 19, 2016 · N5541F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during departure due to being distracted by looking for his phone.
- [NTSB GAA16CA490](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA490.md): Piper PA 28 · Parkersburg, WV · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 15, 2016 · N5673U · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s delayed remedial action during the approach for landing, which resulted in impact with terrain short of the runway threshold. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot’s failure to maintain an appropriate descent rate during…
- [NTSB CEN16FA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA212.md): Piper PA 28-140 · Wishek, ND · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 9, 2016 · N6223W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a climbing turn after takeoff, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to…
- [NTSB ERA16FA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA186.md): Piper PA28 · Homestead, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · May 16, 2016 · N7031R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to allow the passenger to attempt a landing, which resulted in a loss of control during landing with a quartering tailwind. Contributing to the severity of the pilot's injuries was the separation of the deteriorated shoulder…
- [NTSB WPR15FA152](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA152.md): Piper PA 28-140 · Mt Tom, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 22, 2015 · N1729J · Destroyed
  > The noncertificated pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation leading to the pilot's loss of control of the airplane and subsequent collision with mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB ERA15FA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA171.md): Piper PA28 · West Chester, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 29, 2015 · N6842W · Destroyed
  > The failure of the flight instructor and the pilot to abort the takeoff after the airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power with adequate runway remaining, and their subsequent failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which led to the airplane…
- [NTSB ERA15FA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA170.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Orange, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 29, 2015 · N32396 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed after takeoff, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB CEN14CA488](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA488.md): Piper PA 28-140 · Belen, NM · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 8, 2014 · N6693W · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.
- [NTSB CEN14CA481](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA481.md): Piper PA 28-140 · Plymouth, IN · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 1, 2014 · N8307R · Substantial damage
  > The sun glare and the pilot's subsequent loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB CEN14CA410](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA410.md): Piper PA 28-140 · Beach, ND · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 2, 2014 · N6257W · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to initiate a go-around sooner, and his failure to maintain directional control.
- [NTSB CEN14CA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA203.md): Piper PA-28 · Kalamazoo, MI · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 19, 2014 · N38240 · Substantial damage
  > An inadvertent stall during gusting crosswind conditions.
- [NTSB ERA14CA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA150.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Salisbury, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 8, 2014 · N4335T · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's decision to continue the landing in close proximity to a landing helicopter, resulting in an encounter with rotor vortices, loss of airplane control, and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN14FA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14FA019.md): Piper PA 28-140 · Talihina, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 21, 2013 · N113WS · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s lack of weather planning and his continued flight into an area of known rain with reduced visibility and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance with trees.
- [NTSB ERA13CA284](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA284.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Ozark, AL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 8, 2013 · N6881W · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during the aborted landing.
- [NTSB CEN13FA327](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA327.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Mosca, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 8, 2013 · N7147R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while attempting to clear a mountain pass in turbulent conditions at a high density altitude, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB CEN13FA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA219.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Castle Rock, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 31, 2013 · N55093 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of airplane control while maneuvering between two convective storms that likely produced low-level windshear. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's relatively low overall flight experience and low night flight experience, which…
- [NTSB WPR13CA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA121.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Sunnyside, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 9, 2013 · N6726J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate vigilance while maneuvering at low altitude and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from power lines.
- [NTSB WPR12LA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA165.md): Piper PA-28-140 · San Manuel, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 13, 2012 · N3583K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion.
- [NTSB ERA11FAMS1](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11FAMS1.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Accident · 1 fatal · Missing aircraft · Final report · Aug 1, 2011 · N4533R · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrumented rated pilot’s flight into instrument meteorological conditions for undetermined reasons, resulting in an in-flight loss of control, uncontrolled descent, and collision with the water.
- [NTSB ERA11CA404](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA404.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Adams, NY · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 15, 2011 · N7516R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of directional control during landing.
- [NTSB CEN11LA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA093.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Ponca City, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 4, 2010 · N8320R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of control during landing for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB ERA10CA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA114.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Collegedale, TN · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 14, 2010 · N43421 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the initial climb after takeoff in dark light conditions.
- [NTSB ERA10FA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10FA099.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Heflin, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 25, 2009 · N1277T · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during night, adverse weather conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's decision to attempt a flight that he was not qualified for…
- [NTSB ERA09CA287](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA287.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Danville, PA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 11, 2009 · N8403R · Minor damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain control during a landing.

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
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."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('7102802')
    AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND s.aircrafts_position = x.position AND s."tier2Number" = '240' AND s.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE "isDefiningEvent")))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence?model=7102802

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