NTSB investigations: Piper PA-18

19 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Piper PA-18, where the sequence of events included Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT). Aircraft are matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model, so older matches can be wrong.

Cases per year

20082026
NTSB investigations: Piper PA-18 per year, 2008–2026: 19 cases
20082
20092
20101
20113
20123
20162
20192
20201
20231
20251
20261

Latest cases

Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "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 ('7101802')
      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"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

NTSB WPR26LA268Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Colusa, CAThe pilot's inadequate fuel planning and in-flight decision making, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.Jul 18, 2026 · N7590K · Substantial damageNTSB CEN25LA188Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Vega, TXThe airplane’s inadvertent encounter with a localized low boundary layer, which caused a wind shift, and a gusting tailwind during final approach, that resulted in the pilot deciding to impact a wind cone and a subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing was…May 26, 2025 · N7175D · Substantial damageNTSB ANC23LA049Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Beluga, AKThe pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff site, resulting in a collision with brush-covered terrain.Jul 1, 2023 · N15XX · Substantial damageNTSB CEN20LA150Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA 18 · Bowie, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in an uncontrolled turn and descent into terrain.Apr 19, 2020 · N3670P · Substantial damageNTSB ANC19LA054Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA 18 · Beluga, AKThe pilot’s decision to perform a takeoff with an overweight float-equipped airplane, which resulted in diminished climb performance.Sep 23, 2019 · N7071B · Substantial damageNTSB CEN19CA062Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 18 · Iron Mountain, MIThe pilot's distraction and subsequent loss of situational awareness and visual horizon in overcast sky conditions, which led to an unrecognized descent during a low-level maneuver and subsequent impact with snow-covered terrain.Jan 19, 2019 · N3298Z · Substantial damageNTSB ANC16CA066Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 18 · McGrath, AKThe pilot's excessive taxi speed, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent nose over.Sep 18, 2016 · N5773D · Substantial damageNTSB GAA16CA204Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 18 · Palmer, AKThe pilot's decision to land on unsuitable terrain and incorrect brake application during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose over.Apr 19, 2016 · N2518A · Substantial damageNTSB ANC12CA109Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Healy, AKThe pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, resulting in an aborted takeoff and collision with terrain.Aug 31, 2012 · N1620A · Substantial damageNTSB ERA12LA309Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Pilot Mountain, NCThe pilot's failure to abort the takeoff in a timely manner. Contributing to the accident was the airplane’s reduced takeoff performance.Apr 29, 2012 · N5769D · Substantial damageNTSB CEN12CA148Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Thedford, NEThe pilot did not maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion.Feb 5, 2012 · N3671Z · Substantial damageNTSB ANC12CA003Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Skwentna, AKThe pilot's inadequate clearance from a tree during an off-airport landing.Oct 10, 2011 · N124GS · Substantial damageNTSB WPR11CA308Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Enumclaw, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during an encounter with a mountain wave and downdraft landing.Jul 2, 2011 · N23TT · DestroyedNTSB CEN11LA328Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Fredenberg Township, MNThe pilot's inadequate directional control during a crosswind landing.May 7, 2011 · N195T · Substantial damageNTSB CEN10LA472Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Aspen, COThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting crosswind conditions.Aug 11, 2010 · N350CC · Substantial damageNTSB ANC10LA011Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Willow, AKThe pilot’s failure to ensure that the airplane’s fuel selector valve was on before takeoff, resulting in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, and his subsequent decision to attempt a low altitude turn towards the departure airport, resulting in an…Dec 31, 2009 · N146T · Substantial damageNTSB ANC09CA096Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Fairbanks, AKThe pilot’s decision to land on unsuitable terrain, which resulted in a loss of control and a collision with trees.Sep 5, 2009 · N5773D · Substantial damageNTSB ANC08LA122Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Talkeetna, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed to preclude a stall while maneuvering at a low altitude, resulting in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.Sep 11, 2008 · N7174K · Substantial damageNTSB ANC08FA072Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Quinhagak, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering at a low altitude in high winds, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and uncontrolled descent to the ground. Contributing to the accident were the high winds.Jun 7, 2008 · N897SP · Destroyed