# Fatal NTSB investigations: Piper PA-32RT-300 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. ## Latest cases - [NTSB ERA25FA201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25FA201.md): Piper PA32RT · Yulee, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 10, 2025 · N30689 · Destroyed > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in a stall/spin at an altitude too low for recovery. Contributing to the accident was the opening of the nose baggage door and subsequent distraction of the pilot… - [NTSB ERA19LA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA093.md): Piper PA32RT · Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean) · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 1, 2019 · N3016L · Destroyed > The pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation. - [NTSB CEN19FA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA004.md): Piper PA32RT · Poolville, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 12, 2018 · N221MC · Destroyed > The pilot's loss of airplane control as a result of spatial disorientation and the exceedance of the structural capabilities of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's limited experience in instrument conditions. - [NTSB WPR10FA449](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10FA449.md): Piper PA-32RT-300 · Las Vegas, NV · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 6, 2010 · N36072 · Substantial damage > The pilot's inability to maintain a positive rate of climb after takeoff for undetermined reasons. - [NTSB ERA10LA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA082.md): Piper PA-32RT-300 · Memphis, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 29, 2009 · N9243C · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to execute a timely missed approach and subsequent failure to maintain aircraft control, after he was unable to establish the airplane on the instrument approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's possible impairment due to his… - [NTSB ATL06FA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL06FA122.md): Piper PA-32RT-300 · Hartsville, SC · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 18, 2006 · N31911 · Substantial damage > The pilot's loss of control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation. - [NTSB LAX06FA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06FA054.md): Piper PA-32RT-300 · Kingsburg, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 10, 2005 · N3039B · Destroyed > The pilot's in-flight decision to continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions during descent, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees and terrain. Fog, low ceiling, and obscuration were factors. - [NTSB DEN05FA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN05FA066.md): Piper PA-32RT-300 · Broomfield, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 7, 2005 · N3015L · Destroyed > the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during landing. Contributing factor's included the quartering tailwind, and the pilot's inadequate in-flight decision making. - [NTSB IAD03FA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD03FA019.md): Piper PA-32RT-300 · Bastian, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 27, 2002 · N31554 · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate altitude above terrain. Factors in the accident were the dark night conditions and the low cloud ceiling. - [NTSB ATL02LA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02LA144.md): Piper PA-32RT-300 · Atlantic Ocean, Bahamas · Accident · 5 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 20, 2002 · N9738C · Destroyed > The pilot continued VFR flight into IMC and thunderstorm conditions which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control of the airplane. - [NTSB MIA01FA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA01FA107.md): Piper PA-32RT-300 · Concord, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 30, 2001 · N42Y · Destroyed > An in-flight collision with terrain for undetermined reasons. - [NTSB ATL00FA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL00FA016.md): Piper PA-32RT-300 · Geneva, AL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 17, 1999 · N2215U · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff which resulted in a stall and the subsequent collision with trees. - [NTSB ATL99FA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99FA048.md): Piper PA-32RT-300 · Cartersville, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 16, 1999 · N21724 · Destroyed > In flight collision with terrain for undetermined reasons. - [NTSB MIA96FA218](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96FA218.md): Piper PA-32RT-300 · Lagrange, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 27, 1996 · N741RB · Destroyed > the pilot's improper procedure by not placing the fuel selector on the tank with the most fuel, which resulted in fuel starvation and a forced landing in a pasture. Contributing factors in this accident were the pilot's inadequate pre-flight and in-flight… - [NTSB MIA95FA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95FA037.md): Piper PA-32RT-300 · Sylvan Springs, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 11, 1994 · N6517C · Destroyed > Poor in-flight planning/decision by the pilot-in-command for failure to deviate to an alternate airport after encountering icing conditions in an airplane not certificated for flight in icing conditions. Also, failure of the pilot to maintain altitude… - [NTSB ATL94FA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94FA075.md): Piper PA-32RT-300 · Smithville, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 7, 1994 · N9710C · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to obtain recent weather information to avoid flight into icing conditions. Factors in the accident were: management-induced pressure and the icing conditions. - [NTSB MIA94FA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94FA067.md): Piper PA-32RT-300 · Sugarloaf Key, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 6, 1994 · N626CN · Destroyed > Was the failure of the pilot-in-command to perform a visual lookout and maintain his altitude. Contributing to the accident was the dark night, over water, visual descent. - [NTSB LAX93FA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93FA141.md): Piper PA-32RT-300 · Big Bear City, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 7, 1993 · N2221G · Destroyed > A partial loss of takeoff power due to inadequate maintenance and inspection which failed to detect magneto and spark plug deficiencies. In addition, the pilot failed to abort the takeoff after two unsuccessful attempts to get airborne. Factors which… - [NTSB NYC91FA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA145.md): Piper PA-32RT-300 · Wallingford, CT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 31, 1991 · N36069 · Destroyed > The pilot attempting a VFR flight in adverse weather conditions, at an altitude that was insufficient to clear trees along his route of flight. Factors related to the accident were the pilot's lack of instrument rating, and his overconfidence to fly in… - [NTSB CHI91FA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91FA031.md): Piper PA-32-RT300 · Gaylord, MI · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 22, 1990 · N9800K · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance. Factors which contributed to the accident were: the dark night, adverse weather conditions, and the pilot's overconfidence in continuing VFR flight into these conditions. - [NTSB NYC90FA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90FA215.md): Piper PA-32RT-300 · Montgomery, NY · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 8, 1990 · N9327C · Destroyed > An inadequate preflight by the pilot which resulted in a power loss due to fuel exhaustion. - [NTSB MKC90FA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90FA091.md): Piper PA32RT-300 · Mansfield, AR · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 17, 1990 · N2208N · Destroyed > The non-instrument rated pilot's decision to continue VFR flight into IMC. Contributing to the accident were the low ceilings, rain, and turbulence encountered at low altitude, and the pilot's lack of instrument training/experience. - [NTSB CHI90FA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90FA087.md): Piper PA-32RT-300 · Lostant, IL · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 23, 1990 · N3063B · Destroyed > Flight into known adverse weather conditions by the pilot and structural (wing) icing. Factors related to the accident were: the adverse weather conditions and the pilot's overconfidence in the aircraft's ability. - [NTSB NYC88LA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA217.md): Piper PA-32RT-300 · Wellsboro, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 14, 1988 · N979LA · Substantial damage > The pilot attempting a takeoff in an over grossed aiarcraft in high density altitude and flew off the end of the runway into high grass. - [NTSB NYC88FA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88FA062.md): Piper PA-32RT-300 · Burlington, VT · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 31, 1987 · N2243J · Destroyed > Drg flt fm wilmington, de to rutland, VT, the plt diverted to binghamton after recg the albany wx & learning rutland wx was not available. After lndg, he told fss psnl he phoned rutland & was told the wx was good. He got 2 wx briefings bfr contg the flt & was… - [NTSB NYC87FA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87FA172.md): Piper PA-32RT-300 · Nantucket, MA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 13, 1987 · N222HF · Destroyed > The weather at the Nantucket airport was below the prescribed minima for the ILS approach to runway 24. A blanket broadcast had been made on the air traffic frequencies that the Nantucket weather was below the minima for most users and, thereafter, the… - [NTSB DCA87MA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA87MA023.md): Cessna 172N · Oakland, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Mar 31, 1987 · N75584 · 2 aircraft · Destroyed > At 0954:54, plt of Piper PA-32RT, N39614, rprtd 9 mi north for lndg. Twr controller (north ctlr) told him to pln for a rgt entry to rwy 27R. At 0955:32, a student plt & instructor (CFI) in Cessna 172N, N75584, were clrd for tkof on rwy 33 with a 'right turn… - [NTSB MIA87FA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87FA031.md): Piper PA-32RT-300 · Columbus, MS · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 12, 1986 · N21188 · Destroyed > The acft departed Columbus, MS, en route to meridian, MS, to pick up cargo for a return flt to Columbus. The acft did not arrive at its destination and was later found in an open field about 2 miles southwest of the golden triangle regional airport in… - [NTSB FTW85FA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA117.md): Piper PA-32RT-300 · Healdton, OK · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 12, 1985 · N39516 · 2 aircraft · Destroyed > The acft collided at 4,500 ft MSL within aprx 15 degrees of head-on. VMC with 30 mi visibility existed with plt reported winds aloft as being light from the west. En route recorded data indicated that N39516 was on a true course of 180 deg and N1162N was on a… - [NTSB CHI84FA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84FA315.md): Piper PA-32RT-300 · Sandwich, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 28, 1984 · N36219 · Destroyed > Pilot attempted to takeoff with 7 passengers in a six place acft. The acft was 187 lbs over gross wt and 1.54 inches out of aft c.g. the pilot tookoff downwind and collided with trees at the end of the rwy. There was a post crash fire. - [NTSB ATL84FA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA083.md): Piper PA-32RT-300 · Attalla, AL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 16, 1984 · N31844 · Destroyed > During a VOR approach to land in IMC wx, the acft collided with a tree. The non-instrument rated plt had filed an IFR flt plan on this and other occasions even though he was not qualified. During this approach, the descent was continued past the mda of 960… - [NTSB NYC83FA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA087.md): Piper PA-32RT-300 · Wellsville, NY · Accident · 6 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 8, 1983 · N3515M · Destroyed > Just prior to this flt, the plt had flown from hornell, NY to Wellsville, NY. Before departing hornell, he radioed that the vacuum annunciator light was on, & during a run-up, the suction gauge read zero. Ground personnel advised that with this problem, the… - [NTSB CHI82FA214](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82FA214.md): Piper PA-32 · Charlevoix, MI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 17, 1982 · N30575 · Destroyed > The acft departed the Charlevoix arpt & crashed 1 mile south of the arpt. Two persons tried to discourage the plt from leaving because of the poor weather. Witnesses described the weather as raining hard & visibility poor with an estimated visibility at 200… - [NTSB ATL82FA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FA030.md): Piper PA-32R · Wallace, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Dec 23, 1981 · N202DH · Destroyed - [NTSB CHI81FA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81FA104-201209.md): Piper PA-32 · Newberry, MI · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Sep 25, 1981 · N9574C · Destroyed - [NTSB LAX81FA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FA121.md): Piper PA-32R · Grand Canyon, AZ · Accident · 6 fatal · Closed · Aug 21, 1981 · N9822C · Destroyed - [NTSB MIA81DA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA81DA044.md): Piper PA-32 · Aruba (Atlantic Ocean) · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Feb 2, 1981 · N9637C · Destroyed - [NTSB CHI80FA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI80FA045.md): Piper PA32RT · South Bend, IN · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jun 6, 1980 · N36839 · Destroyed - [NTSB CHI79FA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79FA063.md): Piper PA-32 · Spring Green, WI · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jul 29, 1979 · N20995 · Destroyed - [NTSB DEN79FA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN79FA036.md): Piper PA-32 · Carrizozo, NM · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Apr 12, 1979 · N6309C · Destroyed - [NTSB MIA79FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79FA022.md): Piper PA32RT · Charleston, SC · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Nov 29, 1978 · N9771C · Destroyed - [NTSB LAX79FA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FA006.md): Piper PA32RT · Green Vly Lk, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Oct 20, 1978 · N36792 · Destroyed - [NTSB LAX78FA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX78FA071.md): Piper PA-32 · Laverne, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Aug 29, 1978 · N3708M · Destroyed ## 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 ('7103215')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?fatal=1&model=7103215 --- 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.