# Fatal NTSB investigations: Piper PA-28-180 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 9 · 409 cases ## Latest cases - [NTSB WPR26FA281](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA281.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Chandler, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Jul 29, 2026 · N9062J · Destroyed > On July 28, 2026, about 1949 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, N9062J, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Chandler, Arizona. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part… - [NTSB ERA26FA208](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA208.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Akron, OH · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · May 14, 2026 · N7188W · Destroyed > On May 14, 2026, at 1545 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N7188W, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Akron, Ohio. The flight instructor and student pilot were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of… - [NTSB ANC25FA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25FA098.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Wolf, WY · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Sep 1, 2025 · N8307W · Substantial damage > On September 1, 2025 about 1612 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180 airplane, N8307W, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Wolf, Wyoming. The pilot and one passenger were seriously injured; one passenger was fatally… - [NTSB WPR25FA214](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25FA214.md): Piper PA-28-180 · West Yellowstone, MT · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Jul 18, 2025 · N7186W · Substantial damage > On July 17, 2025, about 2358 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N7186W, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near West Yellowstone, Montana. The pilot and two pilot rated passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was… - [NTSB WPR25FA208](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25FA208.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Needles, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Jul 14, 2025 · N8375W · Substantial damage > On July 13, 2025, about 2128 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N8375W, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Needles, California. Both pilots sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of… - [NTSB CEN24FA295](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA295.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Irene, SD · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 31, 2024 · N903US · Destroyed > The pilot’s poor decision to continue the flight into deteriorating weather conditions and his failure to maintain a safe altitude, which resulted in controlled flight into trees and terrain. - [NTSB WPR24FA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA040.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Mertzon, TX · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 26, 2023 · N7763W · Destroyed > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s overconfidence. - [NTSB ERA24FA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA036.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Micanopy, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 14, 2023 · N7806W · Destroyed > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s improper inflight decision making and his flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s… - [NTSB ERA23FA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA109.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Dawsonville, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 13, 2023 · N4254T · Destroyed > The pilot’s decision to initiate a visual flight rules flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in a loss of control in-flight due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of qualifications and… - [NTSB CEN21FA320](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA320.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Muscatine, IA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 14, 2021 · N2801T · Destroyed > The noninstrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight under a thunderstorm, where he encountered reduced visibility due to heavy precipitation, resulting in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation. - [NTSB CEN21LA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA089.md): Piper PA28 · Bossier City, LA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 16, 2020 · N55168 · Destroyed > The student pilot’s decision to conduct a flight during night instrument meteorological conditions and his loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot’s use of an amphetamine and his attention… - [NTSB CEN20LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA199.md): Piper PA28 · Pineville, LA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 31, 2020 · N6461J · Substantial damage > The airplane’s inability to gain sufficient airspeed after takeoff due to it being at or over its maximum gross weight, which resulted in a loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate the airplane at or over its maximum… - [NTSB ERA20FA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20FA002.md): Piper PA28 · Asheboro, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 5, 2019 · N2FB · Destroyed > The pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of recent night flight experience. - [NTSB CEN19FA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA247.md): Piper PA28 · Ontonagon, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 3, 2019 · N5167L · Destroyed > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions with thunderstorm activity, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control. - [NTSB ERA19WA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19WA207.md): Piper PA 28-180 · Cabo Rojo, Dominican Republic · Accident · 4 fatal · Foreign investigation · Jun 29, 2019 · N55784 · Destroyed - [NTSB CEN19FA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA170.md): Piper PA28 · Huntsville, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Jun 14, 2019 · N9754J · Destroyed > A total loss of engine power as a result of the pilot's inadvertent placement of the fuel selector to the "off" position. - [NTSB CEN19FA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA120.md): Piper PA28 · Lake, MS · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 13, 2019 · N4890L · Destroyed > The noninstrument-rated pilot’s loss of control while flying in dark night instrument meteorological weather conditions with convective activity, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its structural limitations and experiencing an in-flight breakup.… - [NTSB CEN19FA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA093.md): Piper PA28 · Summersville, MO · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 6, 2019 · N7369W · Substantial damage > The total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning and in-flight fuel monitoring. - [NTSB CEN19FA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA005.md): Piper PA28 · Cartersville, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 13, 2018 · N180QT · Destroyed > The pilot's inadequate preflight and inflight fuel planning and his decision to continue flight without stopping for fuel, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. - [NTSB ANC18FA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18FA036.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Whittier, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · May 12, 2018 · N7061W · Substantial damage > The student pilot's decision to depart and continue on a solo cross-country flight through mountainous terrain in marginal visual flight rules conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. - [NTSB CEN18FA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA054.md): Piper PA28 · Reeds Spring, MO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 18, 2017 · N6433J · Destroyed > The noninstrument-rated pilot's inadequate pre-flight planning and in-flight decision-making, which resulted in flight into known instrument meteorological conditions and the subsequent collision with terrain. - [NTSB WPR17FA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA120.md): Piper PA 28-180 · Santa Rosa Valley, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 4, 2017 · N4871L · Substantial damage > The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while intentionally maneuvering in a steep bank at low altitude, which resulted in an accelerated aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control. - [NTSB CEN17FA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA147.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Oxford, IA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 7, 2017 · N9179J · Destroyed > The failure of the pilot receiving instruction to recover from the practice stall before the airplane entered a spin and the flight instructor's inadequate monitoring of the pilot receiving instruction and delayed remedial action to recover the airplane. - [NTSB ANC17FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17FA010.md): Piper PA 28-180 · Port Alsworth, AK · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 7, 2016 · N8648N · Substantial damage > Undetermined due to a lack of physical evidence. - [NTSB ERA16FA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA032.md): Piper PA 28-180 · Cornelia, GA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 5, 2015 · N57WV · Destroyed > The pilot's decision to initiate the flight into known adverse weather conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and loss of airplane control. - [NTSB ERA16FA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA012.md): Piper PA 28-180 · Lake Worth, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 13, 2015 · N57312 · Destroyed > A loss of control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. - [NTSB CEN13FA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA067.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Hillsdale, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 21, 2012 · N40781 · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain during a straight-in night visual flight rules approach to land in hazy weather conditions. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's lack of recent night flying experience, the nonfunctional… - [NTSB ERA13FA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13FA064.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Canton, CT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 19, 2012 · N8826J · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while performing a night visual approach to an airport. Contributing to the accident were the dark night and the pilot's lack of recent experience flying at night. - [NTSB CEN12FA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA158.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Osborn, MO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 14, 2012 · N4824L · Substantial damage > The pilot’s decision to conduct low-level passes above a residence and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude. - [NTSB ERA12FA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12FA163.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Thomasville, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 29, 2012 · N1352T · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during an approach in gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall. - [NTSB CEN12FA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA072.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Perryville, AR · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 17, 2011 · N7746W · Substantial damage > The pilot's loss of control in flight. - [NTSB ERA11FA422](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11FA422.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Berne, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 25, 2011 · N1279T · Substantial damage > The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees and rising terrain while attempting to reverse course. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to obtain a preflight weather… - [NTSB ERA11FA291](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11FA291.md): Piper PA-28-180 · New Hampton, NY · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 9, 2011 · N5275L · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage > The PA24 pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from the PA28, resulting in an in-flight collision. Contributing to the accident was the PA24 pilot's decision to overtake the PA28. - [NTSB ERA10FA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10FA148.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Springfield, KY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 23, 2010 · N7778W · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, and the pilot's impairment due to alcohol. Contributing to the accident was the Federal Aviation Administration's failure to adequately oversee… - [NTSB CEN10LA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA055.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Naytahwaush, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 14, 2009 · N7736N · Destroyed > The non-instrument rated pilot's decision to continue the flight into known instrument meteorological conditions resulting in spatial disorientation and impact with terrain. - [NTSB ERA10FA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10FA020.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Oliver Springs, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 18, 2009 · N7906W · Substantial damage > The pilot's loss of directional control while landing on a wet turf runway, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with a tree. - [NTSB CEN09FA377](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09FA377.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Sanborn, IA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 23, 2009 · N7795N · Substantial damage > A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's improper fuel planning and failure to refuel. - [NTSB SEA08FA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08FA187.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Springerville, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 20, 2008 · N5316L · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to attain and maintain an adequate airspeed during takeoff in high density altitude conditions that resulted in an aerodynamic stall. - [NTSB CHI07FA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07FA102.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Viburnum, MO · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 14, 2007 · N8969J · Destroyed > The pilot's loss of aircraft control during cruise flight in instrument meteorological conditions. Factors contributing to the accident were turbulence and icing conditions. - [NTSB DEN07FA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07FA054.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Centennial, WY · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 18, 2007 · N43630 · Substantial damage > the pilot's inadvertent flight into adverse weather conditions resulting in a loss of aircraft control. Contributing factors include the pilot's improper preflight planning and decision making, the pilot's spatial disorientation, the pilot's lack of night… - [NTSB ATL06FA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL06FA030.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Peachtree City, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 2, 2006 · N2169T · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude while performing an instrument approach in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees and terrain. - [NTSB CHI06FA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06FA057.md): Piper PA-28-180 · La Vista, NE · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 29, 2005 · N9072J · Destroyed > The non-instrument rated pilot not maintaining aircraft control and not maintaining altitude/clearance from terrain during takeoff into instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing factors were the low ceilings, night conditions present, and the pilot's… - [NTSB LAX06LA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA068.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Hopland, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 25, 2005 · N3953R · Destroyed > The non-instrument rated pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain, which resulted in a controlled flight into terrain. Contributing factors were the dark night conditions and the low clouds. - [NTSB NYC05LA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05LA134.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Erie, PA · Accident · 3 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 14, 2005 · N7534W · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion on approach, and subsequent loss of engine power. - [NTSB DFW05FA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05FA028.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Hammond, LA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 6, 2004 · N4750L · Destroyed > A loss of engine power due to the pilot's in-flight mismanagement of the available fuel supply by his failure to switch fuel tank position, which resulted in fuel starvation. Factors were the low ceilings and the prevailing dark night conditions. - [NTSB NYC04FA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04FA220.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Avondale, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 29, 2004 · N54397 · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection that resulted in fuel contamination and a subsequent loss of engine power. - [NTSB CHI04FA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04FA069.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Rich Hill, MO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 17, 2004 · N7876W · Destroyed > Spatial disorientation experienced by the non-instrument rated pilot due to a lack of visual references and his subsequent failure to maintain control of the aircraft. Contributing factors were the pilot's intentional flight into adverse weather conditions,… - [NTSB ATL04FA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04FA075.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Alma, GA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 12, 2004 · N6473J · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate in-flight decision, and his failure to maintain aircraft control which resulted in continued VFR flight into IMC and the subsequent collision with trees during approach. - [NTSB LAX04GA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04GA051.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Big Bear City, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Final report · Nov 22, 2003 · N7292W · Destroyed > The pilots inadequate preflight planning and intentional flight into known adverse weather conditions. Contributing to this accident was the fact that it was a dark night with no moon illumination. - [NTSB NYC04LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA007.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Cheswold, DE · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 12, 2003 · N5320L · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain a proper glide path to the runway, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance which resulted in an in-flight collision with an unlit utility pole. Factors related to the accident were the unlit utility pole, and the dark… Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?model=7102808&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 ('7102808')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?fatal=1&model=7102808 --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.