# Fatal NTSB investigations: Piper PA-24-260

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.

Page 1 of 2 · 91 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ANC26FA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC26FA091.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Seldovia, AK · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Aug 26, 2026 · N9485P · Substantial damage
  > On August 26, 2026 about 1317 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-24-260 airplane, N9485P, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Seldovia, Alaska. The pilot and three passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a…
- [NTSB ERA22FA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA014.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Blairsville, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 13, 2021 · N9126P · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to commence the flight in low IFR weather conditions, and making immediate turns after takeoff in IMC, resulting in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB WPR18FA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA119.md): Piper PA 24-260 · Scottsdale, AZ · Accident · 6 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 10, 2018 · N9456P · Destroyed
  > The flight instructor's failure to maintain airplane control during the initial climb as a result of the airplane being loaded above its maximum gross weight and beyond its aft center of gravity limits. Contributing to the accident was a degraded engine power…
- [NTSB ERA16LA258](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA258.md): Piper PA24 · Westwood, MA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 16, 2016 · N11MT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in exhaustion of the fuel in the selected fuel tank and a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB WPR16FA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA059.md): Piper PA 24-260 · Santa Rosa, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 29, 2016 · N9362P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during an instrument approach in night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of recent experience in night…
- [NTSB CEN15FA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA232.md): Piper PA 24-260 · Spring Branch, TX · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 16, 2015 · N9032P · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control during takeoff due to his impairment from marijuana. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impaired decision to fly after using a disqualifying drug.
- [NTSB CEN13FA351](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA351.md): Piper PA-24-260 · La Pointe, WI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 15, 2013 · N8815P · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control after deciding to go around after a gear-up landing, resulting in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB CEN11FA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11FA079.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Norfolk, NE · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 21, 2010 · N8675P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue the flight into instrumental meteorological conditions which resulted in a collision with a tree.
- [NTSB WPR09FA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09FA116.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Hagerman, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 16, 2009 · N8810P · Destroyed
  > The student pilot's spatial disorientation, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and subsequent in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's mental condition which could have contributed to the inappropriate decision to fly the…
- [NTSB ERA09FA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09FA029.md): Piper PA-24 · Red Hill, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 24, 2008 · N8820P · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control due to an improper repair to the stabilator, which resulted in an in-flight failure of the stabilator. Contributing to the accident was the descent in turbulence, at airspeeds above the maximum structural…
- [NTSB CHI07FA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07FA041.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Bucyrus, OH · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 18, 2006 · N9073P · Destroyed
  > The inadvertent stall the pilot encountered during cruise flight while inadvertently entering an area of icing and his exceeding the design limits of the airplane during the subsequent descent. Factors were the reported icing weather present aloft, the…
- [NTSB IAD05LA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD05LA137.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Tiffin, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 18, 2005 · N9311P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to takeoff in weather below the published takeoff minimums, which resulted in spatial disorientation and the airplane's collision with trees and terrain. Factors in the accident were the instrument meteorological conditions, and the…
- [NTSB CHI02FA292](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02FA292.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Ankeny, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 24, 2002 · N8782P · Destroyed
  > The pilot applied an excessive angle of bank and failed to maintain terrain clearance. An additonal factor was the pilot's attention being diverted.
- [NTSB FTW02FA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02FA192.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Gorman, TX · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 30, 2002 · N8681P · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of control and the exceedence of the design limits of the airplane which resulted in an in-flight break-up. A factor was inadvertent VFR flight into IMC.
- [NTSB SEA00WA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00WA130.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Chilko Lake, Canada · Accident · 4 fatal · Foreign investigation · Jul 10, 2000 · N8804P · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA00FA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00FA118.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Panama City, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 27, 2000 · N9204P · Destroyed
  > The pilot experiencing spatial disorientation while reversing course during a dark night while over water which resul;ted in an in-flight collision with water. A factor was the dark night lighting conditions.
- [NTSB FTW00FA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00FA035.md): Piper PA-24-260 · New Orleans, LA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 20, 1999 · N8825P · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control which resulted in a stall/spin. A contributing factor was the dusk light condition.
- [NTSB ANC99FAMS1](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99FAMS1.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Juneau, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Missing aircraft · Final report · May 2, 1999 · N8694P · Destroyed
  > Undetermined. Missing aircraft.
- [NTSB MIA97FA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97FA097.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Andrews, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 15, 1997 · N8857P · Destroyed
  > The pilot's poor in-flight planning in attempting to maintain VFR conditions at night over mountainous terrain, and his failure to maintain clearance from the mountain. Contributing to the accident was: the pilot's inadequate preflight planning for not…
- [NTSB SEA97FA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97FA044.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Winston, MT · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 7, 1997 · N9080P · Destroyed
  > Pilot incapacitation due to hypoxia. Failure of the pilot to use available oxygen is a factor.
- [NTSB LAX96FA275](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96FA275.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Tennant, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 17, 1996 · N9324P · Destroyed
  > the pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather conditions.
- [NTSB FTW95FA402](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95FA402.md): Piper PA-24B-260 · Westcliffe, CO · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 25, 1995 · N9121P · Destroyed
  > VFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude or clearance from mountainous terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: the light conditions at dusk, the adverse weather…
- [NTSB FTW94FA300](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94FA300.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Tennesse Colony, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 18, 1994 · N9159P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed and the resultant inadvertent stall/spin. A factor was the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB BFO93LA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA186.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Niagara Falls, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 26, 1993 · N8992P · No damage
  > The pilot's failure to follow starting procedures and his inadequate preflight inspection by not removing the wheel chocks and the passenger not maintaining clearance from the propeller.
- [NTSB SEA92FA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92FA147.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Woods Cross, UT · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 9, 1992 · N9323P · Destroyed
  > Pilot factor in that he failed to attain and maintain sufficient flying speed. Factors to the accident were: cylinder over temperature, improper use of the mixture and procedures/directives were not followed.
- [NTSB MIA91FAMS1](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91FAMS1.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Missing, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Missing aircraft · Final report · Apr 24, 1991 · N8938P · Destroyed
  > Undetermined.
- [NTSB ATL91FA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91FA047.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Cordele, GA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 3, 1991 · N9209P · Destroyed
  > Failure of the pilot to attain proper runway alignment and to maintain proper altitude. Related factors were: darkness and the pilot becoming lost/disoriented.
- [NTSB SEA90FA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA197.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Bend, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 28, 1990 · N8646P · Destroyed
  > An engine power loss due to fuel starvation as a result of a broken seal in the fuel injector servo. In addition, the pilot misjudged his approach into an open field.
- [NTSB NYC90FA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90FA227.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Eliot, ME · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 23, 1990 · N8664P · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff. Factors were the over weight condition, upsloping runway, premature rotation, and the pilot's lack of experience in type aircraft and general aviation operations.
- [NTSB LAX89FA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA106.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Julian, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 12, 1989 · N9240P · Destroyed
  > The pilot's poor judgement of intentionally flying into an area of known forecast icing conditions which resulted in a loss of control and an inflight breakup of the aircraft. Contributing factors were the pilot's overconfidence in his personal ability by…
- [NTSB FTW88FA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA085.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Henrietta, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 1, 1988 · N8553P · Destroyed
  > The plt was given a pre-flt wx briefing by a fss briefer. He rcvd a full & thorough briefing, except the briefer did not have an opnl wx radar set available. The plt was adzd of a line of thunderstorms (tstms) to the southwest, moving east at 20 KTS. He was…
- [NTSB MKC87FA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87FA169.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Kanorado, KS · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 26, 1987 · N8975P · Destroyed
  > The fss stated they had personally briefed the student pilot on the wx en route for this night flight and told him VFR was not recommended. At the first stop, he called the co-owner of the airplane and told her he had been flying around storms. At the next…
- [NTSB NYC86FA214](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FA214.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Ft. Dix, NJ · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 22, 1986 · N8734P · Destroyed
  > The acft was headed sw on victor sixteen inbound to coyle VOR when the plt reported the loss of gyro instruments. The acft was at 6000 ft and in 'solid IFR weather.' The plt elected not to declare emergency and land when asked if he wanted to do so by ATC.…
- [NTSB LAX86FA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA069.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Newport Beach, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 19, 1985 · N9044P · Destroyed
  > The plt contacted coast TRACON (terminal radar control) & requested VFR traffic advisories to torrence. At aprx 0747 psthe declared an emergency, said the eng had quit & requested vectors to the john wayne/orange county arpt. The controllerprovided a hdg to…
- [NTSB MKC85FA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85FA089.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Wakeeney, KS · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 26, 1985 · N8852P · Destroyed
  > On a x-country flt from dodge city, KS, to hill city, KS, the plt encountered IFR wx conditions around Wakeeney, KS. The IFR conditions were not forecast for his area of flt. A 2000 CST observation at hill city, KS, was indicating IFR conditions existing aprx…
- [NTSB ATL84FA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA064.md): Piper PA-24-260B · Mcdonald, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 13, 1983 · N8981P · Destroyed
  > The plt received 2 wx briefings before takeoff & was provided flt precautions of IMC to continue beyond 0900 EST. Also, he was advised that the mountains would be occasionally obscured & icing could be expected to the west below 6000 ft. during both…
- [NTSB MIA84FA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84FA036.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Kathleen, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 28, 1983 · N9094P · Destroyed
  > The acft impacted in a swampy area in a fast dive which separated about 6 ft of the left wing. The acft was being vectored on radar when it suddenly began to steer erratically and go off the radar scope. The plt had radioed that he 'must have gone over some…
- [NTSB ATL83FA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA041.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Culpepper, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 19, 1982 · N555CE · Destroyed
  > About 16 min after takeoff the plt reported to ARTCC that he had lost the artificial horizon, gyro & vacuum pump. Radio & radar contact was lost shortly thereafter. Examination of the vacuum pump failed to reveal a pre-impact failure or malfunction. The acft…
- [NTSB FTW82FA382](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FA382.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Paris, TX · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 16, 1982 · N300AH · 2 aircraft · Destroyed
  > The PA-24 had departed rwy 17 at cox field & was climbing at the time of the collision. The plt had reported his intended departure on UNICOM. The AA5B had reported 5 mi sw of the arpt descending through 5,000 ft. for landing. The head-on collision occurred…
- [NTSB FTW82FRG26](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FRG26.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Kingsville, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Final report · Mar 18, 1982 · N8988P · Destroyed
  > On 3/17/82 a wx briefer advised the pilot all of Texas would be under instrument meteorological conditons on the morningof 3/18/82. There was no record of a flt plan filed by the pilot of N8988P and the departure time from Kingsville could not be determined.…
- [NTSB CHI82FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82FA009.md): Piper PA-24 · Kerrick, MN · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Oct 30, 1981 · N8898P · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA81FA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA81FA040.md): Piper PA-24 · Riverside, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jun 12, 1981 · N9437P · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA83FYM03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83FYM03.md): Piper PA-24 · Scappoose, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Feb 9, 1981 · N8604P · Destroyed
- [NTSB ATL81FA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FA029.md): Piper PA-24 · Newport News, VA · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Dec 14, 1980 · N8647P · Destroyed
- [NTSB NYC80FA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC80FA071.md): Piper PA-24 · Atlantic City, NJ · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Aug 15, 1980 · N8783P · Destroyed
- [NTSB NYC80FA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC80FA028.md): Piper PA-24 · East Freedom, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Mar 17, 1980 · N9226P · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI79FA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79FA011.md): Piper PA-24 · Ashton, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Oct 25, 1978 · N8666P · Substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC77FA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC77FA087.md): Piper PA-24 · New Lebanon, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Aug 25, 1977 · N8575P · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI77FA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI77FA046.md): Piper PA-24 · Evansville, WI · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · May 27, 1977 · N9326P · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN76AD064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN76AD064.md): Piper PA-24 · Pierce, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Aug 15, 1976 · N8808P · Destroyed

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?model=7102406&fatal=1&page=2

## 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."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('7102406'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?fatal=1&model=7102406

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