# Fatal NTSB investigations: Piper PA-34-200T 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 · 73 cases ## Latest cases - [NTSB GAA26WA297](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA26WA297.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Andros, Bahamas · Occurrence · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Foreign · Sep 7, 2026 · N212ML - [NTSB ERA19LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA012.md): Piper PA34 · Westhampton Beach, NY · Accident · 3 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 13, 2018 · N593MS · Destroyed > The instructor's decision to conduct and continue a visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions with a known flight instrument anomaly, which resulted in spatial disorientation, causing a loss of airplane control and subsequent… - [NTSB ERA18FA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA148.md): Piper PA34 · Bennington, VT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 20, 2018 · N1101X · Destroyed > The pilot's improper decision to attempt a visual flight rules flight in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control during a turn. - [NTSB WPR18FA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA091.md): Piper PA34 · Minden, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 19, 2018 · N14GQ · Destroyed > The pilot's loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation while maneuvering in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment from the use of a sedating antihistamine. - [NTSB WPR16FA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FA158.md): Piper PA 34-200T · Flagstaff, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 3, 2016 · N82806 · Destroyed > A departure flight path that consisted of several unexplained turns during the initial climbout, and terminated in a high-speed descent and ground impact. The reason(s) for the turns and descent could not be determined due to lack of definitive evidence. - [NTSB ERA15FA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA088.md): Piper PA34 · Kuttawa, KY · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 2, 2015 · N81291 · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to properly set the left engine fuel selector before takeoff and to recognize the incorrect setting during the flight, which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power on both engines. - [NTSB CEN15FA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA087.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Port Huron, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 24, 2014 · N38884 · Destroyed > The pilot’s decision to continue flight below the minimum descent altitude without visually acquiring the runway and his delayed and improperly executed missed approach procedure in instrument meteorological conditions. - [NTSB ERA13FA253](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13FA253.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Johnstown, NY · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 24, 2013 · N31743 · Destroyed > The pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's design stress limitations, and a subsequent in-flight breakup. - [NTSB ERA13LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA113.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Manteo, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 13, 2013 · N6537C · Destroyed > The pilot's attempted visual flight in instrument meteorological conditions while maneuvering at a low altitude in the traffic pattern, which resulted in spatial disorientation and impact with the water. Contributing was the pilot's lack of experience flying… - [NTSB ERA09FA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09FA145.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Huntington, WV · Accident · 6 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 30, 2009 · N8047C · Destroyed > (1) The pilot’s failure to perform adequate preflight planning and to use available in flight resources in a timely manner and (2) his decision to continue visual-flight-rules flight in instrument meteorological conditions despite his lack of an instrument… - [NTSB DEN07WA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07WA061.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Gresse-en-Verco, France · Accident · 3 fatal · Foreign investigation · Feb 10, 2007 · N2195B · Destroyed - [NTSB DEN07FA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07FA045.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Manzanola, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 5, 2007 · N8231D · Destroyed > the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane after an inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions resulting in the subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's inadequate preflight planning, self-induced… - [NTSB CHI06FA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06FA094.md): Piper PA34-200T · Branson, MO · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 20, 2006 · N21RR · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin while maneuvering to return to the departure airport for landing after declaring an emergency for unspecified reasons. Additional factors were the low cloud… - [NTSB NYC06FA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06FA078.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Old Bridge, NJ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 13, 2006 · N8446F · Destroyed > The pilot's improper decision to conduct visual approach and landing in instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees and terrain during the go-around. Factors in the accident were the low cloud ceiling and… - [NTSB SEA06FA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06FA039.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Burlington, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 7, 2006 · N36107 · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain the published minimum descent altitude and not adhering to the published missed approach procedures, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees and terrain. Factors contributing to the accident were low ceilings and… - [NTSB DEN05FA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN05FA087.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Telluride, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 9, 2005 · N81659 · Destroyed > the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Contributing to the accident were the high, rising terrain and fatigue. - [NTSB LAX04FA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04FA077.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Avalon, CA · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 24, 2003 · N3747U · Destroyed > The failure of both pilots to properly execute the published missed approach procedure. - [NTSB IAD03FA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD03FA069.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Galion, OH · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 2, 2003 · N577SK · Destroyed > The pilot's improper in-flight decision making and flight into known adverse weather conditions while maneuvering to land. Also causal was the pilot's failure to regard the pre-flight weather briefing. Factors were the thunderstorm, rain, wind gusts and hail. - [NTSB NYC03FA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03FA153.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Montauk, NY · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 7, 2003 · N5636V · Substantial damage > A loss of control during climb for undetermined reasons. - [NTSB LAX03FAMS1](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03FAMS1.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean) · Accident · 1 fatal · Missing aircraft · Final report · Dec 15, 2002 · N101YK · Destroyed > undetermined, missing aircraft. - [NTSB FTW02FA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02FA130.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Alpine, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 27, 2002 · N132CP · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain and continued flight into known adverse weather conditions. Contributing factors were the fog and rain weather conditions. - [NTSB IAD02FA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD02FA043.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Oxford, CT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 13, 2002 · N82284 · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to follow the published instrument approach procedure. Factors were the night and low ceiling conditions. - [NTSB ATL02FA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02FA069.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Apex, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 31, 2002 · N2BX · Destroyed > The pilot experienced spatial disorientation that resulted in the loss of control and the overload failure of the airframe. A factor was low visibility and ceilings. - [NTSB FTW98FA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98FA044.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Myton, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 7, 1997 · N2119D · Destroyed > The pilot exceeded the design stress limits of the airplane which resulted in an in-flight airframe overload failure. A related factor was the dark night. - [NTSB CHI98FA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98FA031.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Lynn, IN · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 2, 1997 · N79TH · Destroyed > the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane which resulted in the inflight separation of the wings, vertical stabilizer/rudder, and the stabilator. Factors associated with the accident the pilot continued the flight into known adverse weather and… - [NTSB NYC97FA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97FA173.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Hancock, MA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 29, 1997 · N40AB · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance and the proper altitude. Contributing was mountainous terrain. - [NTSB MIA97FA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97FA040.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Birmingham, AL · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 16, 1996 · N872SD · Destroyed > failure of the pilot to follow emergency procedures and feather the malfunctioning engine, which led to a forced landing and subsequent collision with a chimney (residence) and the terrain. His lack of recent experience in make/model of aircraft was a related… - [NTSB NYC97FA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97FA013.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Lehman Township, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 6, 1996 · N5671V · Destroyed > The failure of the forward fuselage nose assembly for an undetermined reason, which resulted in an in-flight breakup of the airplane. - [NTSB SEA97FA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97FA006.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Cle Elum, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 8, 1996 · N666HL · Substantial damage > The pilot's physical impairment of judgment and performance, his decision to fly while impaired, and his subsequent failure to maintain control of the aircraft which led to the aircraft's design stress limits being exceeded and inflight separation of the… - [NTSB FTW96FA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96FA088.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Wichita Falls, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 13, 1996 · N8894E · Destroyed > The inadvertent stall by the pilot in command. Factors were the impeded airplane takeoff performance, the rudder trim not corrected by the pilot, and the pilot's failure to comply with the checklist. - [NTSB MIA95FA223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95FA223.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Dalton, GA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 15, 1995 · N1543X · Destroyed > the pilot's improper action by turning off the right engine fuel selector valve after the left engine had failed, and her failure to maintain control of the airplane after losing power in both engines. Factors relating to the accident were: a worn rocker arm… - [NTSB NYC95WA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95WA219.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Poznan, Poland · Accident · 6 fatal · Foreign investigation · Aug 28, 1995 · N2082D · No damage - [NTSB SEA95FA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95FA101.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Cheyenne, WY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 17, 1995 · N2883D · Destroyed > failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from rising terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: low light conditions at dusk, low ceilings with thunderstorms in the area, and continued flight by the pilot into adverse weather… - [NTSB ATL95FA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95FA078.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Covington, TN · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 8, 1995 · N6390C · Destroyed > The pilot exceeded the design stress limits of the aircraft and subsequent overload failures of the stabilator and wing spars. - [NTSB BFO92FA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92FA088.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Bowling Green, KY · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 6, 1992 · N188AL · Destroyed > The loss of control in flight due to spatial disorientation/vertigo. - [NTSB MIA92FA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92FA051.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Rainbow Lake, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 23, 1991 · N47506 · Destroyed > The pilot in command's improper inflight decision to divert her attention to other activities not related to the conduct of the flight. Contributing to the accident was the exceeding of the design limits of the airplane leading to a wing failure. - [NTSB LAX92LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA057.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Pine Valley, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 8, 1991 · N36506 · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to monitor the proper altitude over obserable rising terrain. A contributing factor was the pilot's encounter with a strong downdraft. - [NTSB MIA92WA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92WA026.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean) · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Nov 12, 1991 · N2898C · Destroyed - [NTSB SEA91FA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA099.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Ravensdale, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 7, 1991 · N2859M · Destroyed > The in-flight breakup of the airplane as a result of the pilot exceeding the speed and stress limits for the airplane. A factor relating to the accident was the center of gravity loading that exceeded the aft limits. - [NTSB SEA91FA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA020.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Albion, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 20, 1990 · N4325X · Destroyed > The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain control of the airplane in instrument meteorological conditions. Factors which contributed to the accident were the pilot's apprehension of flying in the forecasted weather, and the adverse weather conditions… - [NTSB MIA91WA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91WA012.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Lascahobas, Haiti · Accident · 6 fatal · Foreign investigation · Oct 15, 1990 · N31575 · Destroyed - [NTSB DEN90FA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90FA058.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Pueblo, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 21, 1990 · N1666H · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain a proper glide path and sufficient altitude to clear obstacles. - [NTSB NYC88FA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88FA093.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Stratford, CT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 20, 1988 · N2469M · Destroyed > The pilot and pilot-rated pax received vectors for multiple ILS approaches in deteriorating conditions. On the first attempt the aircraft passed over witnesses but was off course and not in a position to land. The second attempt was aborted before reaching… - [NTSB ATL87FA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87FA100.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Georgetown, DE · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 28, 1987 · N2221E · Destroyed > The plt was cleared for approach with instructions to close flt plan upon landing. Aprx thirty min later approach control called the fss and asked if the plt had been in contact. The reply was negative. No further action was taken by approach control.… - [NTSB MIA87FA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87FA086.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Oxford, MS · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 19, 1987 · N3571X · Destroyed > The acft struck an embankment about 5 feet below the crest & just short of the rwy while attempting to land at dusk & in reduced lighting conditions. The acft exploded & bounced out of the impact crater & came to rest about on the extended rwy centerline. An… - [NTSB MIA87LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA036.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Isabela, PR · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 25, 1986 · N888MD · Destroyed > The acft was reported missing while on a personal flight from san juan PR to aguadilla PR. The plts last radio contact was with aguadilla tower requesting an alternate arpt to land because they were in heavy rain. The coast guard initiated a search and found… - [NTSB MIA86LA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA024.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Gulf Of Mexico · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 31, 1985 · N24MS · Destroyed > Aircraft disappeared from radar while operating in an area of level 3, 4, and 5 thunderstorms associated with tropical storm juan. A search by the u. s. coast guard resulted in no aircraft wreckage being found. The aircraft is missing and the pilot is… - [NTSB ATL86FA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA007.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Charleston, SC · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 18, 1985 · N1944H · Destroyed > The aircraft was observed on radar as it approached the joint civil - military airport. It passed over near the center of the airport at about 200 feet AGL. There was no reported communication with the aircraft. Several sighting placed the aircraft under at… - [NTSB DEN85FA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA233.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Ogden, UT · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 2, 1985 · N75015 · Destroyed > The plt and his party were en route from minden, NV to casper, WY and had stopped at Ogden, UT to refuel. The plt obtained an updated wx briefing fr fss and field an IFR flt plan. After takeoff the plt was told to climb in the holding pattern to 13000 ft.… - [NTSB MKC85FA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85FA060.md): Piper PA-34-200T · Mena, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 20, 1985 · N8658E · Destroyed > The pilot had been cleared for an instrument approach to themena, Arkansas intermountain regional airport. The airplane impacted a mountain side 8 1/2 miles off course. Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?model=7103406&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 ('7103406')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?fatal=1&model=7103406 --- 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.