# NTSB investigations: Piper PA-32R-300: 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 CEN26LA202](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA202.md): Piper PA-32R-300 · Comanche, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · May 22, 2026 · N4556Q · Substantial damage
  > On May 22, 2026, about 1840 central daylight time, a Piper PA-32R-300 airplane, N4556Q, was substantially damaged during an accident near Comanche, Texas. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal…
- [NTSB ERA23FA280](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA280.md): Piper PA-32R-300 · North Myrtle Beach, SC · Accident · 5 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 2, 2023 · N5524F · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s loss of control during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s operation of the airplane above its maximum gross weight and near its aft center of gravity limit,…
- [NTSB ERA23FA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA181.md): Piper PA32R · Venice, FL · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 6, 2023 · N635BD · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to initiate a visual flight rules flight into dark night conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation during the initial climb and subsequent steep banking descent into water.
- [NTSB CEN23LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA022.md): Piper PA-32R-300 · Evansville, IN · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 30, 2022 · N349SB · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
- [NTSB ERA22LA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA130.md): Piper PA32R · Washington, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 16, 2022 · N114BR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.
- [NTSB CEN22FA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA080.md): Piper PA-32R-300 · Bloomington, IN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 18, 2021 · N5677V · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to follow the instrument landing system (ILS) course guidance, which resulted in the pilot’s loss of airplane control during the instrument approach. Contributing to the accident was the presence of turbulence and low-level wind shear.
- [NTSB ERA22FA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA026.md): Piper PA-32R-300 · Walterboro, SC · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 22, 2021 · N1652H · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning and fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB WPR20LA238](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA238.md): Piper PA32R · West Jordan, UT · Accident · 5 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 25, 2020 · N7677C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain the airplane’s speed during takeoff near the airplane’s maximum gross weight in high-density altitude conditions, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and led to an aerodynamic stall, loss…
- [NTSB ANC20LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20LA004.md): Piper PA32R · Goodnews Bay, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 11, 2019 · N7721C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to monitor the airplane instruments during a night visual flight rules departure in dark light conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and the airplane’s descent into water.
- [NTSB GAA19CA554](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA554.md): Piper PA32R · Owasso, OK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 16, 2019 · N6887J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper altitude and airspeed control during landing, which resulted in the airplane landing long and a subsequent runway overrun and impact with a drainage culvert.
- [NTSB CEN19LA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA066.md): Piper PA-32R-300 · Adrian, MI · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 13, 2019 · N8892E · Substantial damage
  > The airframe and powerplant mechanic's lack of experience in the overhaul of the engine model and the improper torque of the crankshaft gear bolt, which resulted in fatigue failure of the bolt and a total loss of engine power during an approach for landing.
- [NTSB WPR19LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA011.md): Piper PA32R · Indianapolis, IN · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 21, 2018 · N2920Q · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to displacement of the dual magneto’s internal camshaft, which resulted in the magneto’s inability to produce spark.
- [NTSB CEN18LA328](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA328.md): Piper PA32R · South Beloit, IL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 12, 2018 · N9894K · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed after being startled and distracted when the engine cowling opened during takeoff, which led to a subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA18FA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA197.md): Piper PA32R · Lincolnton, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 24, 2018 · N38523 · Substantial damage
  > 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 the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to complete…
- [NTSB ERA18LA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA070.md): Piper PA32R · Marathon, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 25, 2018 · N47863 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
- [NTSB GAA18CA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA088.md): Piper PA 32R · Kwigillingok, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 14, 2017 · N8209C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to land with the sun in his eyes, which resulted in a short landing.
- [NTSB ERA17LA311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA311.md): Piper PA32R · Merritt Island, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 3, 2017 · N544DG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and improper takeoff technique, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB GAA17CA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA126.md): Piper PA32R · Fort Mohave, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 26, 2017 · N6885F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear for landing.
- [NTSB CEN16FA261](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA261.md): Piper PA 32R-300 · Houston, TX · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 8, 2016 · N32KK · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed after becoming distracted by the open baggage door while operating in the airport traffic pattern, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall at…
- [NTSB ERA15FA208](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA208.md): Piper PA-32R-300 · Atlanta, GA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 8, 2015 · N5802V · Destroyed
  > A partial loss of engine power due to contamination in the fuel manifold, which resulted in a collision with terrain shortly after takeoff.
- [NTSB WPR14LA336](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA336.md): Piper PA 32R-300 · West Jordan, UT · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 10, 2014 · N4646F · Destroyed
  > A partial loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined due to the severity of the damage to the engine.
- [NTSB CEN14LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA030.md): Piper PA 32R-300 · Hector, AR · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 14, 2013 · N5605V · Substantial damage
  > An engine failure due to crankshaft fatigue cracking for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
- [NTSB ERA13FA256](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13FA256.md): Piper PA-32R-300 · Macon, GA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 27, 2013 · N4489F · Destroyed
  > A total loss of engine power due to oil starvation for reasons that could not be determined due to extensive postcrash fire and heat damage to the engine components.
- [NTSB ERA12FA433](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12FA433.md): Piper PA-32R-300 · New Site, MS · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 8, 2012 · N4386F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to operate into a known area of adverse weather, which resulted in the inadvertent penetration of a severe thunderstorm, a subsequent loss of control, and in-flight breakup of the airplane.
- [NTSB ERA12FA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12FA012.md): Piper PA-32R-300 · Peru, WV · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 3, 2011 · N115CL · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument rated pilot's improper decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent in-flight collision with mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB ERA11LA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA198.md): Piper PA-32R-300 · Vineyard Haven, MA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 20, 2011 · N2027M · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB CEN11CA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA015.md): Piper PA-32R-300 · Richmond, IN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 8, 2010 · N38205 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's diverted attention to a landing gear indicator light that led to a loss of directional control and subsequent impact with terrain while taxiing.
- [NTSB CEN11FA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11FA007.md): Piper PA-32R-300 · Naperville, IL · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 6, 2010 · N3402Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to abort the takeoff when he realized the airplane was not attaining sufficient takeoff and climb performance. Contributing to the accident was the airplane’s partial loss of engine power due to an obstruction of the fuel servo air inlet…
- [NTSB ERA10CA368](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA368.md): Piper PA-32R-300 · St. Petersburg, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 15, 2010 · N38448 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of directional control while taking off with a crosswind.
- [NTSB WPR10LA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA051.md): Piper PA-32R-300 · Tucson, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 8, 2009 · N2165M · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB CEN09FA562](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09FA562.md): Piper PA-32R-300 · Tulsa, OK · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 5, 2009 · N1228H · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to attempt flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and an in-flight collision with a radio tower guy wire.
- [NTSB ANC09LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09LA007.md): Piper PA-32R · Wasilla, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 24, 2008 · N1392H · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power in flight due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's inadequate fuel management.

## 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 ('7103213')
    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=7103213

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.