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
| 2008 | 2 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Where
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.
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" DESCRun it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
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.NTSB 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…NTSB 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.NTSB 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.NTSB 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.NTSB 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.NTSB 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.NTSB 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.NTSB 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.NTSB 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.NTSB CEN12CA148Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Thedford, NEThe pilot did not maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion.NTSB ANC12CA003Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Skwentna, AKThe pilot's inadequate clearance from a tree during an off-airport landing.NTSB 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.NTSB CEN11LA328Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Fredenberg Township, MNThe pilot's inadequate directional control during a crosswind landing.NTSB CEN10LA472Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Aspen, COThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting crosswind conditions.NTSB 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…NTSB 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.NTSB 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.NTSB 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.