NTSB investigations: Piper PA-18-135

20 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Piper PA-18-135, 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-18-135 per year, 2008–2026: 20 cases
20082
20101
20121
20131
20145
20152
20161
20171
20181
20193
20231
20251

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 ('7101820')
      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 ANC25LA066Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-18-135 · Chenega, AKThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting and variable wind conditions.Jun 28, 2025 · N55PT · Substantial damageNTSB WPR23LA336Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-18-135 · Compton, CAAn overstress fracture of the pilot’s seat, which resulted in the loss of control during takeoff and the pilot’s inadvertent movement of the fuel selector and subsequent partial loss of engine power.Sep 3, 2023 · N7199K · Substantial damageNTSB ANC19LA048Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Fairbanks, AKThe inappropriate application of paint underneath the engine cylinder hold-down nuts, which resulted in inadequate torque and the subsequent in-flight separation of the No. 3 cylinder, and resulted in a total loss of engine power.Aug 30, 2019 · N1124 · Substantial damageNTSB GAA19CA348Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA18 · Fairbanks, AKThe pilot receiving instruction's premature pitch control input during takeoff, which resulted in an aborted takeoff and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's delayed remedial action.Jun 16, 2019 · N2765A · Substantial damageNTSB GAA19CA117Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 18-135 · Longmont, COThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.Jan 3, 2019 · N89018 · Substantial damageNTSB GAA19CA022Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 18-135 · Cherry Ridge, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a ground loop.Oct 14, 2018 · N6690D · Substantial damageNTSB GAA17CA275Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA18 · Seward, AKThe flight instructor's incorrect brake application during a high-speed taxi with a tailwind, which resulted in a nose-over.May 11, 2017 · N1258C · Substantial damageNTSB GAA16CA264Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA18 · Seward, AKThe pilot receiving instruction's failure to maintain proper airspeed and descent rate, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action during the landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and landing gear collapse.May 22, 2016 · N1258C · Substantial damageNTSB ANC15LA056Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 18-150 · Dillingham, AKThe pilot's failure to attain adequate airspeed during initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to continue a takeoff even though the airplane was not airborne by the…Jul 21, 2015 · N8761C · Substantial damageNTSB GAA15CA164Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 18-135 · Twin Falls, IDThe pilot's inadequate fuel inspection during his preflight fuel performance planning task, resulting in fuel exhaustion en route, and an emergency landing and collision with terrain.Jul 3, 2015 · N8086C · Substantial damageNTSB ANC14CA079Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 18-135 · Susitna, AKThe pilot's inadequate compensation for gusting, variable wind conditions during initial climb after takeoff.Sep 13, 2014 · N959E · Substantial damageNTSB ANC14CA074Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 18-135 · Fairbanks, AKThe pilot's inability to maintain directional control of the airplane resulting in a runway excursion and collision with terrain.Sep 5, 2014 · N2158A · Substantial damageNTSB ANC14CA043Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 18-135 · Beluga, AKThe pilot's loss of control when encountering a downdraft during the initial climb after takeoff, resulting in a collision with brush and terrain.Jun 19, 2014 · N27293 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA14LA198Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-135 · Aguas Buenas, PRThe pilot’s improper fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.Apr 13, 2014 · N2875D · Substantial damageNTSB WPR14CA166Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 18-135 · Kent, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff.Apr 12, 2014 · N1394Y · Substantial damageNTSB ANC13CA070Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-18-135 · Fairbanks, AKThe pilot's inadequate evaluation of his landing area, which resulted in contact with terrain.Jul 27, 2013 · N1467C · Substantial damageNTSB WPR12CA102Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-18-135 · Concrete, WAThe pilot did not attain and maintain sufficient altitude to clear terrain while maneuvering.Feb 12, 2012 · N1155C · Substantial damageNTSB ERA10CA300Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-18-135 · North Myrtle Beach, SCThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a climbing turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.Jun 6, 2010 · N2150A · Substantial damageNTSB ANC08CA119Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-18-135 · Coldfoot, AKThe pilot's failure to attain/maintain sufficient flying speed during initial climb.Sep 8, 2008 · N9950Q · Substantial damageNTSB NYC08LA201Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-135 · Myrtle Beach, SCA loss of engine power due to thermally-induced failure of a piston. Contributing to the accident was the sustained engine exposure to abnormally high operating temperatures and detonation, and the exceedance of the engine manufacturer's recommended overhaul…May 31, 2008 · N802DA · Substantial damage