# Fatal NTSB investigations: Piper PA-31-350

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 · 87 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR22FA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA055.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Medford, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 6, 2021 · N64BR · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during the initial climb into clouds due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB GAA21WA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA21WA076.md): Piper PA-31-350 · South Bimini, Bahamas · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 4 · Foreign · Apr 17, 2021 · N827RD · Substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC20FA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20FA007.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Cooper Landing, AK · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 30, 2019 · N4087G · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain during gusty wind and reduced visibility night conditions.
- [NTSB ERA19FA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA124.md): Piper PA31 · Madeira, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 12, 2019 · N400JM · Substantial damage
  > Fuel starvation to the left engine and the resulting loss of engine power to that engine, and a loss of airplane control due to the pilot's failure to maintain the minimum controllable airspeed.
- [NTSB ERA18LA157](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA157.md): Piper PA 31 · Amagansett, NY · Accident · 4 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 2, 2018 · N41173 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to fly under a thunderstorm and a subsequent encounter with turbulence and restricted visibility in heavy rain, which resulted in a loss of control.
- [NTSB ERA16LA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA026.md): Piper PA31 · Weston, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 26, 2015 · N55GK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's feathering of the incorrect propeller following a total loss of right engine power due to fuel starvation, which resulted from maintenance personnel’s failure to reinstall the flapper valve in the right main fuel tank. Contributing to the accident…
- [NTSB WPR14FA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14FA124.md): Piper PA31 · Lanai City, HI · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 27, 2014 · N483VA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s spatial disorientation while turning during flight in dark night conditions and terrain-induced turbulence, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment from a sedating antihistamine.
- [NTSB ERA13FA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13FA096.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Leesburg, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 24, 2012 · N78WM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent total loss of power in both engines during cruise flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s use of prescription and illicit drugs, which likely impaired…
- [NTSB WPR13FA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA072.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Payson, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 19, 2012 · N62959 · Substantial damage
  > The airplane’s inadvertent encounter, in night instrument meteorological conditions, with unforecast strong up- and downdrafts and possibly severe airframe icing conditions (which likely included supercooled large droplets that the airplane was not…
- [NTSB CEN12FA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA086.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Riverwoods, IL · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 29, 2011 · N59773 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and in-flight decision-making, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion during approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to operate an airplane after using illicit drugs.
- [NTSB LAX08FA286](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08FA286.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Las Vegas, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 28, 2008 · N212HB · Substantial damage
  > A loss of power in the right engine due to an in-flight fuel-fed fire in the right engine compartment that, while the exact origin could not be determined, was likely related to the right engine-driven fuel pump, its fuel supply line, or fitting. Contributing…
- [NTSB ANC08MA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08MA038.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Kodiak, AK · Accident · 6 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Jan 5, 2008 · N509FN · Substantial damage
  > The failure of company maintenance personnel to ensure that the airplane's nose baggage door latching mechanism was properly configured and maintained, resulting in an inadvertent opening of the nose baggage door in flight. Contributing to the accident were…
- [NTSB SEA06FA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06FA139.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Easton, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 11, 2006 · N40ST · Destroyed
  > The loss of power in both engines for undetermined reasons while in cruise flight, leading to an attempted forced landing. Factors include unfavorable winds at the site of the forced landing, and trees off the approach end of the grass runway the pilot was…
- [NTSB CHI06FA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06FA026.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Ankeny, IA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 8, 2005 · N27177 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to preflight the airplane, the pilot's improper in-flight decision not to land the airplane on the runway when he had the opportunity, and the inadvertent stall when the pilot allowed the airspeed to get too low. Factors that contributed…
- [NTSB NYC05FA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05FA028.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Vandalia, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 7, 2004 · N54316 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude\clearance while on approach, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees. Factors in the accident were the fog and low ceiling conditions.
- [NTSB DFW05FA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05FA020.md): Piper PA-31-350 · San Antonio, TX · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 14, 2004 · N40731 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control during an ILS approach. Contributing factors were the prevailing instrument meteorological conditions( clouds, low ceiling and drizzle/mist), and the pilot's spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB IAD04FA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD04FA030.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Ticonderoga, NY · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 10, 2004 · N45032 · Destroyed
  > Reason for occurrence undetermined.
- [NTSB FTW03WA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03WA032.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Cambita, Dominican Republic · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Nov 4, 2002 · N74946 · Destroyed
- [NTSB NYC02FA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02FA168.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Sanderson, WV · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 16, 2002 · N680HP · Destroyed
  > Physiological impairment or incapacitation likely related to the pilot's recent exacerbation of Crohn's disease. A factor in the accident was the pilot's decision to conduct the flight in his current medical condition.
- [NTSB MIA02FA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA02FA048.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Hollywood, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 1, 2002 · N3525Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate planning for a Title 14 CFR Part 135 on-demand air taxi flight, and his failure to refuel the airplane, which resulted in fuel exhaustion while en route over the Atlantic Ocean, a power off glide, and ditching in the ocean.
- [NTSB DEN01FA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN01FA161.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Pagosa Springs, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 24, 2001 · N161RB · Destroyed
  > the flight crews' intentional low altitude flight, and failure to maintain obstacle clearance.
- [NTSB NYC01FA223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01FA223.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Bern Township, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 5, 2001 · N8PK · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of control for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a high speed dive to the ground.
- [NTSB LAX00FA310](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00FA310.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Hilo, HI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 26, 2000 · N923BA · Substantial damage
  > Deterioration and failure of the oil filter converter plate gasket, which resulted in a loss of engine power and a subsequent in-flight fire.
- [NTSB ATL00FA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL00FA081.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Lumber City, GA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 15, 2000 · N801MW · Destroyed
  > Pilot's failure to follow instrument procedures and descended below approach minimums and collided with trees. A factor was low clouds.
- [NTSB DCA00MA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA00MA080.md): Piper PA-31 Navajo · Burlington Twp., NJ · Accident · 11 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Aug 9, 2000 · N27944 · 2 aircraft · Destroyed
  > the failure of the pilots of the two airplanes to see and avoid each other and maintain proper airspace separation during visual flight rules flight.
- [NTSB DEN00FA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00FA102.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Kiowa, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 5, 2000 · N67BJ · Destroyed
  > the flight instructor's failure to maintain aircraft control while practicing stall maneuvers, which resulted in an inadvertent spin.
- [NTSB LAX00FA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00FA014.md): Piper PA-31-350 · North Las Vegas, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 15, 1999 · N1024B · Destroyed
  > The failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain separation from terrain while operating under visual flight rules. Contributing factors were the improper issuance of a suggested heading by air traffic control personnel, inadequate flight progress monitoring…
- [NTSB DCA99MA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA99MA088.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Volcano, HI · Accident · 10 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Sep 26, 1999 · N411WL · Destroyed
  > the pilot's decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) in an area of cloud-covered mountainous terrain. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's failure to properly navigate and his disregard for standard operating…
- [NTSB MIA99FA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99FA263.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Moreland, GA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 21, 1999 · N27343 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain the minimum descent altitude while executing a localizer approach. Contributing factors were low ceilings and dark night conditions as well as the trees.
- [NTSB ANC99FA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99FA074.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Tanana, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 11, 1999 · N41078 · Destroyed
  > Undetermined.
- [NTSB CHI99FA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99FA047.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Waterford, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 5, 1998 · N59902 · Destroyed
  > the pilot's descent below the decision height for the instrument approach.
- [NTSB DEN99FA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99FA016.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Hayden, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 28, 1998 · N35533 · Destroyed
  > The pilot not following instrument procedures and subsequently descended to minimums prematurely. Factors were the mountainous terrain and the falling snow.
- [NTSB LAX98FA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98FA106.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Novato, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 6, 1998 · N257NW · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance after initiating a descent over mountainous terrain at night and under marginal VFR conditions. The pilot's self-induced pressure to arrive at class with enough time remaining to take the final…
- [NTSB NYC97RA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97RA006.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Eel River Cross, Canada · Accident · 8 fatal · Foreign investigation · Oct 20, 1996 · N744W
- [NTSB LAX96FA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96FA078.md): Piper PA-31-350 · San Jose, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 23, 1995 · N27954 · Destroyed
  > The failure of the air traffic controller to comply with instructions contained in the Air Traffic Control Handbook, FAA Order 7110.65, which resulted in the flight being vectored at an altitude below the minimum vectoring altitude (MVA) and failure to issue…
- [NTSB NYC96FA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96FA012.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean) · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 19, 1995 · N711EX · Substantial damage
  > a total loss of left engine power as a result of an in-flight separation of the #2 cylinder. The cylinder separated due to high stress fatigue cracking of the cylinder hold down studs and the #3 main bearing thru-studs. Factors in this accident were: improper…
- [NTSB CHI95FA285](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95FA285.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Ardoch, ND · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 18, 1995 · N85115 · Destroyed
  > the pilot-in-command's continuing flight into adverse weather. Factors were the pilot-in-command's failure to obtain a weather observation and the adverse weather.
- [NTSB DCA95MA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA95MA019.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Tusayan, AZ · Accident · 8 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Feb 13, 1995 · N27245 · Destroyed
  > a loss of power on one engine for an undetermined reason(s), and the pilot's improper decision to return to the departure airport for landing which neccessitated maneuvering over increasingly higher terrain. Factors in the accident were: the high gusting…
- [NTSB DCA94MA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA94MA053.md): Piper PA31 · Stratford, CT · Accident · 8 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Apr 28, 1994 · N990RA · Destroyed
  > The failure of the captain to use the available ILS glideslope, his failure to execute a go-around when conditions were not suitable for landing, and his failure to land the airplane at a point sufficient to allow for a safe stopping distance; the fatalities…
- [NTSB ATL94FA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94FA076.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Elizabethton, TN · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 7, 1994 · N64LB · Destroyed
  > The pilot's attempted VFR flight into IMC conditions, and his failure to maintain a proper altitude over mountainous terrain. Factors were the clouds and obscuration at the accident site.
- [NTSB LAX94FA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94FA149.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Frazier Park, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 4, 1994 · N78DE · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to select a cruise altitude which would ensure adequate terrain clearance. Contributing factors related to the dark, nighttime condition and to the pilot's lack of attentiveness.
- [NTSB MIA94FA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94FA020.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Orlando, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 12, 1993 · N27687 · Destroyed
  > Was in flight loss of control for failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain VMC shortly after takeoff. Contributing to the accident was partial loss of engine power from the left engine due to partial blockage of several of the fuel injector nozzles. Also…
- [NTSB LAX92FA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA058.md): Piper PA31-350 · Temple Bar, AZ · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 10, 1991 · N350MR · Destroyed
  > The pilot-in-command's poor inflight decision by not electing to proceed to an alternate airport and to continue to the flight under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions. The low ceilings and visibilities across the flight route and…
- [NTSB ATL91FA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91FA052.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Munford, AL · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 7, 1991 · N27818 · Destroyed
  > The pilot attempting visual flight in instrument meteorological conditions below the minimum safe altitude for terrain clearance. Contributing factors were the low ceiling and mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB ANC91FA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91FA017.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Evanston, WY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 18, 1990 · N4082H · Destroyed
  > The pilot's premature descent. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's fatigue and poor weather.
- [NTSB MKC90FA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90FA082.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Bois D'Arc, MO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 14, 1990 · N6KG · Destroyed
  > Inadvertent flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his spatial disorientation, which resulted in loss of aircraft control. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's inadequate weather evaluation, darkness, low…
- [NTSB ANC90FA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90FA034.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Cold Bay, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 17, 1990 · N27328 · Destroyed
  > Continued VFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain adequate altitude (or clearance) from mountainous terrain. The adverse weather and terrain conditions were related factors.
- [NTSB NYC90FA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90FA039.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Cairo Township, NY · Accident · 6 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 15, 1989 · N45CH · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to fly into the known adverse weather and his failure to select an altitude that would provide terrain clearance. Factors were: the adverse weather and the pilot's disregard for the forecasted conditions.
- [NTSB LAX89FA314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA314.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Ontario, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 15, 1989 · N70PE · Destroyed
  > Failure of the right propeller hub due to metal fatigue which resulted in catastrophic separation of the propeller. Contributing to the accident was damage done to the aircraft airframe in flight by the separating propeller making the aircraft uncontrollable.
- [NTSB BFO89FA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89FA075.md): Piper PA-31-350 · Lynchburg, VA · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 28, 1989 · N234J · Destroyed
  > Pilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstructions because of improper IFR operation. Contributing to the accident was descent below decision height, delay in initiating the missed approach, and fog conditions.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?model=7103110&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 ('7103110', '7103125'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?fatal=1&model=7103110

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