# Fatal NTSB investigations: Piper PA-28-181

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 4 · 178 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ERA26FA329](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA329.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Ludlow, MA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Sep 6, 2026 · N7653F · Destroyed
  > On September 5, 2026, about 2105 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N7653F, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Ludlow, Massachusetts. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of…
- [NTSB ERA26FA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA243.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Bowie, MD · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Jun 21, 2026 · N249WF · Substantial damage
  > On June 20, 2026, about 2328 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N249WF, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Bowie, Maryland. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code…
- [NTSB ERA25FA280](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA280.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Block Island, RI · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Jul 30, 2025 · N961DA · Substantial damage
  > On July 30, 2025, about 1210 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N961DA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Block Island, Rhode Island. The pilot sustained serious injuries, one passenger received minor injuries, and one…
- [NTSB CEN22FA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA017.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Buxton, ND · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 19, 2021 · N820ND · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s intentional flight into terrain as an act of suicide.
- [NTSB WPR22FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA001.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 · Chandler, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 1, 2021 · N412TL · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilots onboard the airplane to see and avoid the helicopter while maneuvering in the traffic pattern, which resulted in a midair collision.
- [NTSB ERA20LA309](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA309.md): Piper PA28 · McMinnville, TN · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 8, 2020 · N4166Z · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to a fatigue failure in a cylinder, and the pilot’s subsequent failure to maintain airspeed and her exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle-of-attack while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN19LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA053.md): Piper PA28 · Salem, SD · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 13, 2019 · N75191 · Substantial damage
  > The incapacitating effects of an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack), which resulted in the pilot's loss of airplane control and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA19FA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA070.md): Piper PA28 · Blairsville, GA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 20, 2018 · N6143J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during a visual approach for landing in night visual meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent experience flying at night.
- [NTSB CEN17FA258](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA258.md): Piper PA 28-181 · Waterford, OH · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 8, 2017 · N793MA · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation in instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB ERA17FA210](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA210.md): Piper PA28 · Fort Myers, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 24, 2017 · N199PA · Destroyed
  > A partial loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because extensive fire damage precluded thorough examination of the engine and its associated systems.
- [NTSB WPR17FA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA025.md): Piper PA 28-181 · Upland, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 22, 2016 · N6912C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain in dark night conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB ERA16LA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA109.md): Piper PA28 · Port Jefferson, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 21, 2016 · N29099 · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's inadequate preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB ERA16LA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA106.md): Piper PA28 · Destin, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 13, 2016 · N2209W · Destroyed
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to turn the airplane away from the lighted airport at low altitude, over water, with no visible horizon, in dark night conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB CEN15FA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA092.md): Piper PA 28-181 · Vaughn, NM · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 30, 2014 · N2558M · Substantial damage
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot’s continued flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from terrain.
- [NTSB ERA14LA362](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA362.md): Piper PA28 · Venice, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 27, 2014 · N8826C · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s…
- [NTSB ERA14FA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14FA162.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Safety Harbor, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 22, 2014 · N8309L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to cocaine use.
- [NTSB WPR13FA254](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA254.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Anthem, AZ · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 31, 2013 · N327PA · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilots in both aircraft to maintain adequate visual lookout in a known training area where multiple aircraft frequently operated, which resulted in a midair collision.
- [NTSB WPR13FA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA061.md): Piper PA28 · Aurora, UT · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 25, 2012 · N8314E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain while maneuvering in a remote mountainous region. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to traverse the remote mountainous area in high-density altitude conditions with the…
- [NTSB WPR12FA420](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12FA420.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Strawberry, AZ · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 13, 2012 · N4188E · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's and the evaluator's failure to divert at an appropriate time during cruise flight, which resulted in the airplane's inability to maintain a sufficient altitude to clear rising terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight…
- [NTSB ERA11FA480](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11FA480.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Provincetown, MA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 1, 2011 · N6249C · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees and terrain during the initial climb. Contributing was spatial disorientation due to a vestibular illusion and the pilot’s likely impairment due to alcohol consumption.
- [NTSB WPR11FA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA145.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 26, 2011 · N910PA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot and flight instructor's failure to adequately monitor the flight task and environment while maneuvering to maintain sufficient altitude with rising terrain in dark night conditions and the flight instructor's improper decision to practice in an area…
- [NTSB CEN10FA316](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10FA316.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Umpire, AR · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 13, 2010 · N6076H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB WPR10FA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10FA120.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 28, 2010 · N293PA · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s decision to take off in marginal visual flight rules conditions, which resulted in an encounter with low clouds, and the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires while maneuvering in the traffic pattern for landing.
- [NTSB CEN09WA248](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09WA248.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Steep, United Kingdom · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Apr 10, 2009 · N2405Y · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA08FA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08FA174.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Monticello, UT · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 8, 2008 · N2190X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was the low altitude.
- [NTSB NYC08FA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08FA020.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Boynton Beach, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 28, 2007 · N8155C · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilots' improper in-flight fuel management.
- [NTSB MIA08FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08FA001.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Walthourville, GA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 3, 2007 · N96HA · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument rated pilot's loss of control at night in marginal night VFR operations due to spatial disorientation. A factor in the accident was the pilot's improper decision to continue the flight.
- [NTSB LAX07FA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07FA219.md): Piper PA-28-181 · El Cajon, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 14, 2007 · N38137 · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's inadequate in-flight decision to attempt low altitude flight operations into a box canyon in mountainous terrain, and his failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering to reverse direction, which led to an accelerated stall and spin.
- [NTSB ATL07LA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL07LA067.md): Piper PA28-181 · New Tazewell, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 2, 2007 · N30465 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing to the accident was the non-instrument rated pilot's continued flight from visual meteorological conditions into instrument meteorological conditions, and a low cloud ceiling.
- [NTSB NYC06LA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06LA066.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Henderson, WV · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 31, 2006 · N8335Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to attempt the off-airport takeoff; and his improper decision to continue the takeoff after striking a pole during the takeoff roll.
- [NTSB SEA06LA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06LA029.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Butte, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 17, 2005 · N4350F · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain during low-level maneuvering at night. Factors included the pilot’s improper in-flight decision to continue into an area that was forecasted to possibly contain snow, fog, and low ceilings. Additional…
- [NTSB IAD05FA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD05FA110.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Georgetown, DE · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 26, 2005 · N59RK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's misjudged distance/altitude while on final approach to land, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a vehicle. Factors associated with the accident are the pilot's improper use of the flaps, and the state of Delaware's insufficient…
- [NTSB CHI05FA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05FA180.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Lake Michigan, WI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 26, 2005 · N5360F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inaccurate preflight planning and his delayed en route decision to make a fuel stop, which resulted in the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and subsequent ditching.
- [NTSB LAX05FA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05FA106.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Yucaipa, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 1, 2005 · N2954P · Destroyed
  > The failure of the private pilot and the flight instructor to maintain adequate terrain clearance while flying in unfamiliar mountainous terrain in dark night conditions.
- [NTSB ATL05FA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL05FA041.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Bradley, SC · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 7, 2005 · N2823H · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with trees and the ground. A factor was the dark night conditions.
- [NTSB NYC04FA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04FA179.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Exton, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 27, 2004 · N91075 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the airplane impacting a residence. Factors in the accident were the pilot's lack of recent instrument experience.
- [NTSB CHI04WA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04WA171.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Qaqortoq, Greenland · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Jul 6, 2004 · N47984 · Destroyed
- [NTSB ATL04FA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04FA139.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Fort Lauderdale, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 23, 2004 · N9578C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning which resulted in the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, and the pilot's failure to maintain flying speed which resulted in an inadvertent stall, and the subsequent collision with a building.
- [NTSB NYC04FA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04FA077.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Corry, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 27, 2004 · N4166P · Substantial damage
  > The loss of partial engine power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's lost of control after performing an evasive maneuver to avoid trees during a forced landing at night. Factors related to the accident were a rough running engine and the pilot's…
- [NTSB MIA04FA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA04FA045.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Fort Pierce, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 19, 2004 · N298PA · Destroyed
  > The flight instructor's failure to comply with the instrument approach procedure in that he descended prematurely below decision height resulting in an in-flight collision with trees, power lines and the ground. Contributing factors were the dark night light…
- [NTSB FTW04FA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04FA037.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Sugar Land, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 10, 2003 · N47413 · Destroyed
  > The pilots failure to maintain clearance with powerlines during a VFR approach. Contributing factors were the prevailing dark night conditions,and the high winds.
- [NTSB NYC04FA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04FA033.md): Cessna 180 · Westerly, RI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 16, 2003 · N34AG · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The Piper pilot's improper decision to continue a landing on an occupied runway, which resulted in an in-flight collision with the departing Cessna. Factors related to the accident were the departing Cessna pilot's inattentive radio communications, and the…
- [NTSB CHI03FA284](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03FA284.md): Cessna 172S · Lake Elmo, MN · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 22, 2003 · N53033 · 2 aircraft · Destroyed
  > Both pilots failed to maintain adequate visual lookout and did not maintain clearance from the other aircraft.
- [NTSB SEA03FA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03FA028.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Eastsound, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 19, 2003 · N7282C · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water and his failure to reset the altimeter to the local barometric pressure. Contributing factors were fog and night conditions.
- [NTSB NYC02FA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02FA082.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Gardiner, NY · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 12, 2002 · N288CA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain sufficient altitude while maneuvering in a mountainous area, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Factors in the accident were, mountainous terrain, clouds, and the pilot's decision to continue the flight in…
- [NTSB ATL02FA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02FA008.md): Piper PA-28-181 · McEwen, TN · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 3, 2001 · N43334 · Destroyed
  > The pilot initiated a VFR flight into known IMC conditions which resulted in a loss of control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation. Factors were the low ceilings.
- [NTSB LAX01FA308](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01FA308.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Lytle Creek, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 4, 2001 · N8253W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate decision to fly into an area of rising terrain.
- [NTSB ATL01FA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL01FA048.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Jasper, GA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 6, 2001 · N31566 · Destroyed
  > The pilot disregarded preflight weather briefing information, and continued visual flight into known instrument weather conditions and collided with trees.
- [NTSB MIA01FA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA01FA021.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Zolfo Springs, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 31, 2000 · N8603E · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in the pilot executing a forced landing to an open field, and the aircraft subsequently impacting a tree during the landing rollout.
- [NTSB DEN99FA157](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99FA157.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Villa Grove, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 1, 1999 · N4366D · Destroyed
  > The flight instructor's improper inflight decision to enter a narrow blind/box canyon, and his misjudgment of the vertical and lateral clearances. A factor was the downdrafts.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?model=7102807&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 ('7102807', '7102832'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?fatal=1&model=7102807

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