# NTSB investigations: Piper PA-32-260: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

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 WPR26FA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA069.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Rio Linda, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Dec 24, 2025 · N2785Q · Substantial damage
  > On December 24, 2025, at approximately 1230 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-32-260, N2785Q, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Rio Linda, California. The pilot sustained serious injuries, and the pilot-rated passenger was…
- [NTSB CEN24LA322](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA322.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Chetek, WI · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 14, 2024 · N3613W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper landing flare and hard landing.
- [NTSB ERA24LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA054.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Millington, TN · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 4, 2023 · N7748J · Substantial damage
  > The pilots’ fuel mismanagement during the cross-country flight and incorrect fuel tank selection for the landing approach, which resulted in fuel starvation, a momentary loss of engine power, and collision with terrain short of the runway.
- [NTSB CEN22FA208](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA208.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Broomfield, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 22, 2022 · N85CT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to abort the takeoff due to degraded engine performance. Contributing to the accident was the reduced performance of the engine, the reason for which could not be determined.
- [NTSB ERA20FA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20FA085.md): Piper PA32 · Lake City, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 25, 2020 · N55455 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control at low altitude.
- [NTSB ERA20LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA057.md): Piper PA32 · Florida, MA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 20, 2019 · N4726S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s fuel mismanagement during flight, resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and a forced landing in a remote, wooded terrain.
- [NTSB GAA19CA387](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA387.md): Piper PA32 · Seldovia, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 7, 2019 · N3556W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to attain a sufficient climb following a short-field takeoff, which resulted in collision with trees.
- [NTSB ERA19LA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA197.md): Piper PA32 · Crisfield, MD · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 15, 2019 · N2750Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's sudden incapacitation from an undiagnosed cardiac arrhythmia while on final approach, which resulted in descent and collision with trees and terrain.
- [NTSB GAA19CA196](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA196.md): Piper PA32 · Lakeland, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 3, 2019 · N4821S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a fence post during taxi to parking.
- [NTSB GAA19CA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA145.md): Piper PA32 · Lacon, IL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 14, 2019 · N3708W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing with gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a subsequent impact with a snowbank.
- [NTSB GAA18CA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA184.md): Piper PA32 · Camas, WA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 4, 2018 · N3756W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate inflight fuel management and his failure to switch to a fuel tank with adequate fuel, which resulted in fuel starvation.
- [NTSB GAA18CA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA081.md): Piper PA 32 · Cheboygan, MI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 5, 2017 · N4887S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain the airplane’s rate of descent in gusting wind conditions resulting in a hard landing and runway excursion.
- [NTSB ERA18FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA022.md): Piper PA32 · Fountain Run, KY · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 12, 2017 · N3371W · Destroyed
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot's intentional visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to complete…
- [NTSB WPR17LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA096.md): Piper PA 32-260 · Mukilteo, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 2, 2017 · N3457W · Substantial damage
  > The improper maintenance of the carburetor, which resulted in a stuck float and a partial loss of engine power during takeoff.
- [NTSB ANC17TA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17TA015.md): Piper PA-32 · Pilot Point, AK · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Jan 17, 2017 · N4261T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's continued flight into known icing conditions, which resulted in structural icing and a forced landing on icy, snow-covered terrain.
- [NTSB ERA16LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA053.md): Piper PA-32 · Opa Locka, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 1, 2015 · N5568J · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel's inadequate inspection of the exhaust system, which resulted in the escape of exhaust gases into the engine compartment and a subsequent total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ERA16LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA022.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Bluemont, VA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 23, 2015 · N43249 · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power as a result of the separation of the No. 5 connecting rod for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB GAA15CA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA270.md): Piper PA 32-260 · Jackpot, NV · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 21, 2015 · N3354W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and a collision with a fence.
- [NTSB ANC14CA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14CA060.md): Piper PA 32-260 · Anderson, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 6, 2014 · N3502W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB ERA12LA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA180.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Amory, MS · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 14, 2012 · N3688W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight and in-flight planning and decision-making, including his inadequate weather evaluation and his delayed diversion to a closer airport, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB CEN12LA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA118.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Elk Rapids, MI · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 31, 2011 · N997TB · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power due to the failure of the exhaust valve.
- [NTSB CEN12FA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA097.md): Piper PA-32-260 · St. Ignace, MI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 4, 2011 · N33315 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to initiate visual flight in instrument meteorological conditions and subsequent failure to maintain adequate altitude.
- [NTSB CEN10LA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA023.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Peoria, IL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 18, 2009 · N3357W · Destroyed
  > A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during climb out after takeoff, which resulted in a forced landing to a roadway.
- [NTSB CEN09LA605](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA605.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Troy, MI · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 25, 2009 · N4864S · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's selection of an empty or nearly empty main tank for takeoff.
- [NTSB WPR09FA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09FA038.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Sedona, AZ · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 13, 2008 · N3929W · Destroyed
  > The partial loss of engine power while maneuvering for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB NYC08FA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08FA180.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Cruso, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 12, 2008 · N64FP · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions with moderate to severe turbulence prevailing. Contributing to the accident were the instrument meteorological conditions and turbulence.
- [NTSB CHI08CA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA121.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Vermillion, SD · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 18, 2008 · N32394 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the crosswind condition. Contributing to the accident were the crosswind and the soft terrain.
- [NTSB LAX08CA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA111.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Grand Canyon, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 30, 2008 · N5521J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions and delay in aborting the takeoff. Contributing to the accident were wind gusts and a crosswind.
- [NTSB MIA08CA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA042.md): Piper PA-32-260 · Atlanta, GA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 14, 2008 · N3528W · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain directional control of the airplane during 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 ('7103206')
    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" = '470' 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/470/sequence?model=7103206

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