# NTSB investigations: Piper PA-28-161: In flight encounter with weather 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 LAX04FA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04FA190.md): Piper PA 28-161 · Holoaloa, HI · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 19, 2004 · N8198A · Destroyed > The pilot's continued flight into adverse weather conditions that resulted in an in-flight collision with mountainous terrain. Factors in the accident were rising terrain, low clouds and rain, and the pilot's lack of familiarity with the geographic area. - [NTSB DEN03LA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA139.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Crowheart, WY · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 6, 2003 · N2973T · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning (attempting to exceed aircraft's published certificated performance), the pilot not obtaining sufficient altitude to clear the terrain (not possible), and the pilot's inadequate in flight planning/decision making.… - [NTSB LAX99FA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99FA125.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Lytle Creek, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 20, 1999 · N2529W · Destroyed > the pilot's inadvertent visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions resulting in impact with high terrain. - [NTSB FTW98LA352](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA352.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Huntsville, UT · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 8, 1998 · N54TM · Destroyed > The flight instructor's failure to ensure adequate altitude/clearance with terrain, resulting in an encounter with a downdraft, loss of airspeed, onset of a stall/mush, and collision with high terrain.. Contributing factors were high density altitude,… - [NTSB SEA97LA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA048.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Sun River, OR · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 12, 1997 · N8414B · Substantial damage > inadvertent VFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain altitude/clearance above moutainous/wooded terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, adverse weather conditions, and the proximity… - [NTSB ATL95FA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95FA044.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Spring City, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 12, 1995 · N75PF · Destroyed > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, and his continued VFR flight into instrument weather conditions which resulted in the collision with the mountain. A factor was low ceilings. - [NTSB DEN93LA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93LA039.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Llano, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 7, 1993 · N81527 · Destroyed > The pilot's continued VFR flight into IMC. Factors were: low ceiling, dark night, and the pilot's lack of total instrument time. - [NTSB MIA93LA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA203.md): Piper PA-28-161 · St Augustine, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 4, 1992 · N8258A · Substantial damage > Failure of the instructor pilot (CFI) to assure adequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors related to the accident were: the crosswind and turbulent weather conditions. - [NTSB LAX91FA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA065.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Glendale, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 3, 1991 · N39778 · Destroyed > The pilot's inadvertent VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his improper inflight decision to turn to the left, which resulted in flight toward higher terrain. The terrain and weather conditions were related factors. - [NTSB LAX91LA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA042.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Livermore, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 26, 1990 · N2601X · Destroyed > Inadvertent flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and her failure to maintain adequate altitude and/or clearance from mountainous terrain. The adverse weather and terrain conditions were related factors. - [NTSB BFO89LA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89LA068.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Leesburg, VA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 13, 1989 · N4325V · Substantial damage > Improper planning/decision by the pilot which resulted in his inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain proper alignment, while landing at night on a road. The weather conditions, dark night, and… - [NTSB NYC89LA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA184.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Hammonton, NJ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 7, 1989 · N22179 · Destroyed > The pilot overshooting a landing during a precautionary landing due to deteriorating weather conditions. Contributing factor(s) was: the pilot's decision to attempt the flight after being advised that VFR flight was not recommended and inadequate preflight by… - [NTSB NYC89LA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA174.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Stonington, CT · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 25, 1989 · N29216 · Destroyed > The pilot's inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and his loss of aircraft control due to spatial disorientation. Factors related to the accident were: the environmental conditions (dark night & fog) and the pilot's lack of… - [NTSB LAX89FA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA074.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Yucca, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 25, 1988 · N9276M · Destroyed > Pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Contributing factors included the pilot's improper in-flight decision which was related to his overconfidence in his personal ability, spatial disorientation upon encountering inclement weather during the… - [NTSB MIA89FA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89FA044.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Molino, FL · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 27, 1988 · N8033Y · Destroyed > Before takeoff, the plt was adzd of an apchg cold front in the Florida panhandle as well as a forecast of hvy thunder- storm activity in the area of pensacola. En route, he was provided VFR flt following from pensacola apch ctl while cruising at 6500 ft.… - [NTSB DEN88FA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88FA096.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Milford, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 14, 1988 · N3850M · Destroyed > The plt (with a recent instrument rating) rcvd a wx briefing fm cedar city (cdc) fss & filed an IFR flt plan fm provo (pvu) to st george (sgu). Current sgu wx wasn't available, but wx for cdc (abt 45 mi nne) was provided. The plt was adzdof moist unstable… - [NTSB MIA88LA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA109.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Stuart, FL · Accident · 3 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 19, 1988 · N43253 · Destroyed > Bfr depg at ngt with no flt plan, non-inst rated plt was adzd of psbl clds forming at a low lvl. En route, he got radar flt flwg. Apchg his destn, he got vctrs & alt chgs to avoid wx & otr acft. At 2001:04, radar svc was trmtd with palm bchapch ctl to cont… - [NTSB NYC88DGM03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88DGM03.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Spartansburg, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Nov 14, 1987 · N8318L · Destroyed > The pilot landed at the franklin, PA airport after encountering fog. After making several phone calls and remaining on the ground for about 37 minutes he departed. About 30 minutes later the aircraft was seen circling at a low altitude, flying in and out of… - [NTSB SEA88LA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA013.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Snoqualamie Pss, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 26, 1987 · N44856 · Destroyed > The pilot was advised that with his proposed route of flight VFR was not recommended due to low clouds and marginal visibility. The pilot elected to fly through the area at night and encountered low clouds and marginal visibility. While attempting to climb… - [NTSB ATL88FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88FA010.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Greenville, SC · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 12, 1987 · N84430 · Destroyed > The plts trip home had been delayed one day due to wx enrt. He had called the fss early for a briefing and had been advised that there should be no trouble for a noon depart time. He deptd clemson about 1000 and activated his VFR flt plan. He then contacted… - [NTSB LAX88LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA011.md): Piper PA-28-161 · San Luis Obispo, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 10, 1987 · N4342B · Substantial damage > The non-instrument rated pilot became disoriented when he inadvertently flew into a layer of fog while making an enroute descent for landing at his destination. The aircraft collided with trees while the pilot was attempting to execute a climbing course… - [NTSB LAX87LA297](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA297.md): Piper PA28-161 · Redding, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 7, 1987 · N81200 · Substantial damage > During an air race, the plt was attempting a landing when on final approach the acft flew through updrafts. The plt landed the acft aprx 600 ft from the threshold and applied heavy braking. Just prior to running off the runway the pilot added full power and… - [NTSB BFO87FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87FA009.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Danville, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 17, 1986 · N43905 · Destroyed > The aircraft was observed flying around the airport as the weather deteriorated. The pilot had elected to depart at about 2345 EST after obtaining a weather briefing 6 & 1/2 hours before. The plt had a total of about 83 hours flying time and did not have any… - [NTSB LAX86FA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA102.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Bridgeport, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 30, 1986 · N2134M · Substantial damage > Drg flt over mountainous terrain, the plt encountered instrument meteorological conditions along his route of flt. A witness observed the acft flying at about 200 ft AGL under a cloud layer, then it disappeared in a snow shower. A search was initiated & the… - [NTSB LAX85FA252](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA252.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Ocotillo Wells, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 10, 1985 · N81018 · Destroyed > According to witnesses on a dune buggy & a honda trx 200, the acft was flying at low alt in strong winds when it seemed to encounter turbulence & go out of control. Some of the witnesses said it temporarily leveled at about 200 ft AGL. All agreed that it was… - [NTSB FTW84FA344](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84FA344.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Reed, OK · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 11, 1984 · N3233Q · Destroyed > Arpt manager reported preflight discussion with plt concerning weather to south (intended direction of flight) but plt stated he didn't think there would be any trouble. Mgr observed acft takeoff and disappear into clouds to the south. Witnesses reported… - [NTSB CHI83FA441](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FA441.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Bethany, IL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 26, 1983 · N8236U · Destroyed > Prior to this flt, the plt had contacted a fss & inquired about the wx. He was advised that VFR flt to terre haute, IN, was not recommended. He took off at about 1830 CDT. The plt again contacted the fss & inquired about the wx at burlington, IA &… - [NTSB FTW83FA384](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA384.md): Piper PA-28-161 · El Paso, TX · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 18, 1983 · N8193Q · Destroyed > The plt had postponed the flt due to wx conditions. During a flt from deming, NM to waco, TX, the acft subsequently crashed within the boundries of a private arpt, northwest of El Paso, TX. Impact occurred in a steep left bank, nose low attitude. The degree… - [NTSB CHI83FA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FA267.md): Piper PA28-161 · Cambridge, OH · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 20, 1983 · N2405U · Destroyed > The acft collided with the ground during a night flt after the plt encountered weather according to the radio transmissions to cleveland center. His statements were 'what have you got me into' and 'what are we into here' when asked by cleveland if he was into… - [NTSB LAX83FVG03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FVG03.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Lincoln, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Final report · Nov 27, 1982 · N1949H · Destroyed > The non-instrument rated pilot took off at about 2003 PST. The weather at the marysville fss (20 NM north) was; thin obscured, 500 ft overcast, 2 miles visibility with fog. The plane crashed about 1800 ft northeast of runway 33. - [NTSB NYC83LA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA029.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Morrisville, VT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 15, 1982 · N2221N · Substantial damage > Enroute to destination through a mountain pass the pilot saw approaching snow & decided to return & land. While returning, a rapidly moving snow squall was approaching the arpt. At about 1/4 mi from the end of rwy 1 visibility dropped to about 1/8 mi in heavy… - [NTSB NYC83FA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA005.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Sanbornton, NH · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 9, 1982 · N9535C · Destroyed > The plt was advised during his wx briefing that VFR flt was not recommended for his proposed route of flt and destination. The plt, whose business concern was in the glens falls area, commuted almost daily to his home in gilford, NH. The wreckage was located… - [NTSB NYC82FA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82FA181.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Concord, NH · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 4, 1982 · N81786 · Destroyed > The plt was advised during the 0028 & 0203 wx briefings that VFR flt was not recommended. At 0304 the plt called fss to activate his flt plan & was again advised VFR flt was not recommended. At 0403 the flt was given Concord wx & at 0406WAS cleared into the… - [NTSB FTW82FA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FA171.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Lorenzo, TX · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 12, 1982 · N9697C · Destroyed > The aircraft crashed while the pilot was trying to return to the departure airport after a night takeoff. Marginal VFR conditions were forecast with thunderstorms predicted. The aircraft accident occurred in area where a thunderstorm was in progress. His… - [NTSB SEA82FA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82FA015.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Pleasant Hill, OR · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 5, 1982 · N8265A · Destroyed > The plane tookoff at 1505 PST on a local VFR pleasure flight with 4 occupants and about 48 gallons of fuel on board. The plane was estimated to be about 140 lbs over the maximum gross weight limit. At about 1622 PST, it was observed to break up in flight.… ## 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."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('7102803', '7102834') AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND o.aircrafts_position = x.position AND o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o."occurrenceCode" = 240)) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?model=7102803&occurrence=240 --- 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.