# NTSB investigations: Piper PA-28-161: Loss of control - in flight

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 ATL07LA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL07LA104.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Gardner, MA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 14, 2007 · N4337P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during an aborted landing.
- [NTSB CHI06CA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06CA180.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Jefferson City, MO · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 3, 2006 · N43060 · Substantial damage
  > The dual student's excessive landing flare and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in the airplane stalling. A factor to the accident was the flight instructor's delayed remedial action and the runway edge light that the airplane struck.
- [NTSB DFW06CA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA132.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Marietta, OK · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 21, 2006 · N9419C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Contributing factors were the dark night conditions and the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation.
- [NTSB NYC06FA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06FA029.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Leesburg, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 9, 2005 · N4171T · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent impact with trees and terrain.
- [NTSB MIA03LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03LA073.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Lake Placid, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 5, 2003 · N81549 · Substantial damage
  > the pilot-in-command's failure to maintain airspeed during climb, which resulted in the airplane stalling, and impacting with a house.
- [NTSB CHI01LA305](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA305.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Grand Forks, ND · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 5, 2001 · N240ND · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper flare, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in a loss of directional control.
- [NTSB NYC01FA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01FA128.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Danvers, MA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 22, 2001 · N8365M · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Factors in the accident were the dark night, low ceiling, reduced visibility, and the pilot's decision to attempt a visual flight rules flight in marginal weather conditions.
- [NTSB CHI00FA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00FA263.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Watertown, WI · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 15, 2000 · N8126V · Destroyed
  > Aircraft control not being maintained during initial climb resulting in a stall/mush. Factors to the accident were the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation, the pilot operating over the airplane's certified maximum gross weight, and the pilot…
- [NTSB MIA00LA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA171.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Chapel Hill, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 25, 2000 · N47561 · Destroyed
  > The failure of the CFI to delay his landing until the approaching line of thunderstorms passed, causing the flight to encounter severely gusting wind conditions resulting in the loss of altitude control and collision with the terrain.
- [NTSB MIA99LA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA063.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Pahokee, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 5, 1999 · N9225N · Substantial damage
  > The pilot-in command's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Contributing to the accident was the lack of total experience by the pilot-in-command.
- [NTSB LAX98LA239](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA239.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Chandler, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 19, 1998 · N2148Y · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft during takeoff.
- [NTSB LAX98LA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA172.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Half Moon Bay, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 23, 1998 · N2480Q · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument rated pilot's loss of aircraft control due to spatial disorientation in dark night conditions.
- [NTSB LAX97LA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA135.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Little River, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 29, 1997 · N2128Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to properly judge the flare altitude.
- [NTSB NYC97LA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA060.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Sanford, ME · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 14, 1997 · N2914A · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's premature raising of the flaps during the initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in a stall/mush. A factor relating to the accident was: the pilot's failure to maintain proper runway alignment after lift-off, which allowed the airplane to…
- [NTSB NYC96LA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA110.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Monticello, NY · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 20, 1996 · N38890 · Destroyed
  > the student pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and her delay in aborting the landing. The gusty crosswind condition was a related factor.
- [NTSB FTW94FA242](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94FA242.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Lakeview, AR · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 23, 1994 · N36566 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain minimum required airspeed for flight.
- [NTSB MIA94FA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94FA078.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Inverness, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 23, 1994 · N44899 · Destroyed
  > The pilot-in-command's lack of total experience in instrument flight, simulated instrument flight, and night flight resulting in the pilot becoming spatially disoriented, and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the…
- [NTSB CHI93LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA056.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Kokomo, IN · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 23, 1992 · N9206B · Substantial damage
  > Failure to maintain aircraft control, and spatial disorientation of the pilot.
- [NTSB FTW92LA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA187.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Midland, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 23, 1992 · N84102 · Destroyed
  > A loss of control for reasons undetermined.
- [NTSB CHI92LA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA116.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Hanover, KS · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 22, 1992 · N135AT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff earlier in the takeoff roll, and the inadvertent stall/mush after lift-off. A factor was the soft terrain.
- [NTSB LAX92FA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA102.md): Piper PA28-161 · Mountain Pass, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 25, 1992 · N8432K · Destroyed
  > The pilots failure to maintain the aircraft's airspeed above the stall speed (vs) that resulted in an inadvertent entry into a stall/spin.
- [NTSB MIA92FA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92FA062.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Homestead, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 13, 1992 · N2606Y · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument rated pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument flight conditions resulting in spatial disorientation and inflight loss of control.
- [NTSB LAX91FA401](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA401.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Placerville, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 21, 1991 · N82857 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's attempted takeoff at a high density airport with the airplane exceeding its maximum gross takeoff weight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's use of illegal drugs and abuse of prescription drugs.
- [NTSB ANC91LA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA081.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Whittier, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 28, 1991 · N4362V · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain proper flying speed.
- [NTSB MIA91LA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA087.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Valkaria, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 25, 1991 · N609FT · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the instructor pilot to supervise the student pilot's actions, resulting in a stall at a low altitude where recovery was not possible.
- [NTSB MIA91FA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91FA011.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Everglades City, FL · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 16, 1990 · N143FT · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain altitude and his spatial disorientation during a night takeoff over water.
- [NTSB CHI90LA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA228.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Greenwood, IN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 11, 1990 · N8085H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot misjudged the landing flare and the airplane stalled and landed hard.
- [NTSB FTW90FA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90FA141.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Garfield, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 15, 1990 · N8102C · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to fly into the mountain pass and the subsequent inability to maintain adequate ground clearance.
- [NTSB LAX90LA152](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA152.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Chandler, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 24, 1990 · N2110D · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot inadvertently stalling the aircraft and an inadequate altitude to perform a stall recovery. Factors in this accident were: lack of total experience and student's anxiety.
- [NTSB LAX90FA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA070.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Burbank, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 19, 1990 · N8251B · Destroyed
  > Poor judgement of the instructor pilot (CFI) due to his impairment from use of marijuana, inadequate supervision of the flight by the CFI, and his failure to assure that adequate airspeed was maintained, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Factors related…
- [NTSB LAX89LA254](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA254.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Oceanside, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 31, 1989 · N2933D · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilot-in-command to attain proper airspeed during the go-around. The lack of airspeed did not permit the airplane to climb and the pilot intentionally stalled the airplane into the trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot delaying…
- [NTSB NYC88LA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA149.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Fryeburg, ME · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 11, 1988 · N84493 · Destroyed
  > According to witnesses, the pilot had been drinking and two friends drove him to the airport and watched as he departed. They noted that the aircraft was climbing steeply after liftoff and then observed the aircraft's rotating beacon as the aircraft spiraled…
- [NTSB ATL88LA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA177.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Lebanon, OH · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 19, 1988 · N69161 · Substantial damage
  > The plt was making an apch for a full stop ldg with a quartering right tailwind. He stated that he had been previously told to always land on rwy 27 and takeoff from runway 09 at this apt. Witnesses indicated that the airplane touched down about half way down…
- [NTSB MKC88LA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA075.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Fort Smith, AR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 8, 1988 · N31900 · Substantial damage
  > Immediately after takeoff, the student pilot performing his first supervised solo flight, said the aircraft began a left turn. He said the rudder pedals felt inoperative. He reduced power and landed adjacent the runway substantially damaging the acft.…
- [NTSB DEN88LA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA078.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Aurora, CO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 14, 1988 · N9419C · Substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW86LA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA151.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Lake Murray, OK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 17, 1986 · N8422M · Destroyed
  > The pilot lost control of the aircraft prior to touchdown after the left wing dipped approximately four feet. The left gear touched down alongside the runway and the pilot made an attempt to go around but changed his mind when he saw a group of trees at the…
- [NTSB BFO86FIA02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO86FIA02.md): Piper PA 28-161 · Stanley, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Aug 16, 1986 · N36489 · Destroyed
  > The acft collided with trees and the ground during a x-country flt over mountainous terrain. The plt had crossed the 1st ridge at aprx 800 ft AGL according to the plt. The front seat passenger said later that he complained several times during the flt that…
- [NTSB LAX86FA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA084.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Livermore, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 8, 1986 · N8283T · Destroyed
  > The aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff about a mile from the departure airport. IFR conditions prevailed at the accident site; however, the non-instrument rated pilot had told his wife that the weather was clear when he telephoned her from the airport…
- [NTSB LAX85FXQ01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FXQ01.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Tahoe Paradise, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Apr 5, 1985 · N80530 · Substantial damage
  > The acft contacted trees and the terrain during an attempted climb in a narrow canyon. The plt stated he was attempting to climb in order to clear rising terrain in the canyon when a downdraft was encountered. He stated, he cleared the top of the ridge at…
- [NTSB NYC85LA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA020.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Farmington, PA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 27, 1984 · N82587 · Substantial damage
  > According to the plt, during the landing flare the wind shifted causing the acft to drift off the left side of the rwy striking rwy lights and a pole. Winds were from 230 deg at 10 KTS gusting to 15.
- [NTSB LAX84LA457](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA457.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Truckee, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 26, 1984 · N3573X · Substantial damage
  > The plt stated that she rotated the acft at 65 KTS and the acft lifted off at 70 KTS. Shortly after liftoff the acft veered to the left and the stall warning horn activated. The plt lowered the pitch attitude, the acft began to settle and the right main…
- [NTSB FTW84FA329](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84FA329.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Lake Charles, LA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 30, 1984 · N4314D · Destroyed
  > At aprx 250 ft ag., according to witnesses, eng sounds indicated that power was reduced to idle. The acft rolled into a steep left descending turn followed by the application of power just prior to impact. The CFI was known to have given other students…
- [NTSB NYC84FGM01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FGM01.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Marshburg, PA · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · Nov 2, 1983 · N8163P · Destroyed
  > After refueling at ithaca, NY, the plts of two Piper PA-28 acft departed as a flt of two. They had planned to continue their flt back to cincinnati, oh with another en route stop at columbus, OH. The non-instrument rated plt of N8163P was following the lead…
- [NTSB MIA83LA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83LA085.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Lehigh Acres, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 2, 1983 · N8445G · Substantial damage
  > During a simulated, engine-out, emergency, the student elected to make an approach to a paved road. While turning to a final approach at about 300 ft AGL, the instructor pilot (CFI) observed power lines in their path. The CFI advised the student to go around.…
- [NTSB LAX83FUA02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FUA02.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Avalon, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Final report · Jan 3, 1983 · N2239M · Destroyed
  > The aircraft crashed during an attempted go-around at catalina island. The front seat occupants were fatally injured andthe two rear seat passengers received serious injuries. The pilot had not had the specified three takeoffs and landings within the…
- [NTSB MKC83FA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83FA041.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Bancroft, IA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 20, 1982 · N2838V · Destroyed
  > The acft impacted the ground in a near wings level, 20 deg nose down attitude at a high rate of speed. Witnesses statedthat the weather was clear & visibility good but it was a very dark night with only a very small portion of the moon showing. The only…
- [NTSB CHI82DA351](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA351.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Angle Inlet, MN · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Sep 12, 1982 · N8067V · Substantial damage
  > Just after takeoff, the aircraft lost altitude and crashed beyond the departure end of the runway. The pilot stated that just after takeoff, the stall warning was heard. Also, he reported that when the aircraft reached an altitude of about 60 ft AGL, there…

## 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" = 250))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?model=7102803&occurrence=250

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