# NTSB investigations: Piper PA-28-161, CA

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 · 97 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR26LA269](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA269.md): Piper PA-28-161 · San Bernardino, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · Jul 18, 2026 · N8249B · Substantial damage
  > On July 18, 2026, about 1530 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, N8249B, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near San Bernardino, California. The pilot and pilot rated passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a…
- [NTSB WPR20CA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA087.md): Piper PA28 · Santa Barbara, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 12, 2020 · N8408E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a parked airplane during taxi operations at night.
- [NTSB WPR19LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA003.md): Piper PA28 · Grass Valley, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 8, 2018 · N2250S · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and the pilot's mismanagement of the available fuel.
- [NTSB WPR17LA208](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA208.md): Piper PA 28-161 · El Cajon, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 17, 2017 · N2587X · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to the formation of carburetor ice during descent for landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to apply carburetor heat.
- [NTSB WPR17LA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA124.md): Piper PA28 · Carpinteria, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 10, 2017 · N2171D · Substantial damage
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot's improper decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB GAA15CA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA276.md): Piper PA 28 · Van Nuys, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 24, 2015 · N8258S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to compensate for turbulence during the landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and runway excursion.
- [NTSB WPR15FA256](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA256.md): Piper PA28 · Santee, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 3, 2015 · N8441B · Substantial damage
  > The pilots' failure to maintain airplane control following a partial loss of engine power after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the partial loss of engine power due to a failure of the right magneto.
- [NTSB WPR13CA426](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA426.md): Piper PA28 - 161 · Lancaster, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 21, 2013 · N6313C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll.
- [NTSB WPR10CA372](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA372.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Garberville, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 12, 2010 · N9353C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper airspeed, misjudged approach, and failure to attain the proper touchdown point. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of familiarity with the airport.
- [NTSB WPR10CA157](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA157.md): Piper PA-28-161 · El Cajon, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 13, 2010 · N8441B · Substantial damage
  > An in-flight collision with a bird in the downwind leg of the airport's traffic pattern.
- [NTSB SEA07LA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07LA170.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Redlands, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 10, 2007 · N130RJ · Substantial damage
  > The restriction of the carburetor float as a result of a misadjusted retractor clip. A contributing factor was the fire.
- [NTSB LAX07LA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07LA134.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Palo Alto, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 23, 2007 · N8171V · Substantial damage
  > a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB LAX07FA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07FA060.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Big Pine, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 21, 2006 · N9141Y · Substantial damage
  > The inadequate in-flight/planning decision of both pilots to fly up a box canyon at low altitude, and their failure to maintain clearance from the terrain.
- [NTSB LAX06LA251](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA251.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Grass Valley, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 23, 2006 · N2115R · Substantial damage
  > The loss of available engine power due to vapor lock. A contributing factor was the high temperature.
- [NTSB LAX06CA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA045.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Panamint Spring, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 25, 2005 · N8091H · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's improper in-flight selection of unsuitable terrain for landing.
- [NTSB LAX06LA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA023.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Lodi, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 31, 2005 · N83785 · Substantial damage
  > a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the trees.
- [NTSB LAX04LA260](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA260.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Bridgeport, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 11, 2004 · N6106H · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to attain an adequate altitude to clear mountainous terrain during a high density altitude condition.
- [NTSB LAX04CA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA115.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Placerville, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 30, 2004 · N28385 · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to attain a proper glide path during the final approach and delayed go-around, resulting in an undershoot of the runway. The inadequate supervision of the flight and flight instructor's delayed remedial action was also causal.
- [NTSB LAX04LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA027.md): Piper PA 28-161 · San Diego, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 25, 2003 · N39494 · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > the pilot of the other airplane's inadvertent application of the rudder pedals rather than the brakes, which resulted in the collision with the Cessna 172R.
- [NTSB LAX03LA280](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA280.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Sacramento, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 7, 2003 · N9141Y · No damage
  > the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and the bystander's failure to maintain clearance with the rotating propeller.
- [NTSB LAX03LA238](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA238.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Lomita, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 20, 2003 · N3091M · Destroyed
  > The partial loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and the pilot's failure to use carburetor heat. Also causal was the pilot's failure to attain and maintain an adequate airspeed during the aborted landing, which resulted in a stall/mush.
- [NTSB LAX03LA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA130.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Baker, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 6, 2003 · N8465R · Substantial damage
  > the separation of a propeller blade tip due to fatigue cracking that resulted from improper maintenance repair procedures.
- [NTSB LAX02LA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA060.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Long Beach, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 29, 2001 · N4390S · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's inadequate compensation for wind, and his failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the landing roll.
- [NTSB LAX00LA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA330.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Palo Alto, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 4, 2000 · N6462C · Substantial damage
  > The failure of maintenance personnel to detect and correct loose attachment fasteners and fretting at the landing gear attachment during maintenance inspections.
- [NTSB LAX00LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA154.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Palo Alto, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 14, 2000 · N81019 · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during takeoff climb.
- [NTSB LAX99LA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA148.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Van Nuys, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 15, 1999 · N8466F · Substantial damage
  > The check pilot's inadequate supervision of the flight and his failure to ensure that an adequate altitude margin existed during the maneuver.
- [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 LAX99LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA032.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Santa Barbara, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 10, 1998 · N8258S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind condition and failure to maintain proper runway alignment during landing flare.
- [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 LAX97FAMS2](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97FAMS2.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Avalon, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Missing aircraft · Final report · Feb 11, 1997 · N8436X · Destroyed
  > undetermined.
- [NTSB LAX95LA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA233.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Carmel Valley, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 1, 1995 · N8399T · Destroyed
  > fuel starvation due to the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation in that he failed to position the fuel selector to a tank known to contain fuel.
- [NTSB LAX94LA304](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA304.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Devore, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 31, 1994 · N2500Y · Destroyed
  > was the failure of the pilot to follow checklist and emergency procedures, which resulted in an improper decision to land on a dirt road within two miles of an airport.
- [NTSB LAX94LA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA270.md): Piper PA-28-161 · San Carlos, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 30, 1994 · N4359C · Substantial damage
  > the student pilot's attempt to exit the runway at an excessive taxi speed which resulted in his loss of control.
- [NTSB LAX94FA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94FA243.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Banning, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 9, 1994 · N4512Z · 2 aircraft · Destroyed
  > The failure of both pilots to see and avoid each other. The haze was a factor.
- [NTSB LAX93FA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93FA215.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Grass Valley, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 16, 1993 · N26075 · No damage
  > The pilot prematurely raising the airplane's flaps at an airspeed insufficient to maintain flight which resulted in an inadvertent stall mush condition. A factor in this accident was the darkness of the night.
- [NTSB LAX93LA152](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA152.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Vacaville, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 16, 1993 · N8120H · Destroyed
  > a loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s).
- [NTSB LAX93LA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA127.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Bakersfield, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 20, 1993 · N9750K · Substantial damage
  > The overload failure of the right main landing gear strut attach bolts due to a hard landing. The hard landing was the result of the student misjudging the landing flare, and, the inadequate supervision of the flight by the flight instructor.
- [NTSB LAX92LA323](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA323.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Ravendale, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 30, 1992 · N8078H · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. The short length of the runway was a factor in the accident.
- [NTSB LAX92LA249](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA249.md): Piper PA-28-161 · El Monte, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 16, 1992 · N9279Y · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control and improper use of the brakes.
- [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 LAX91LA410](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA410.md): Piper PA-28-161 · San Carlos, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 27, 1991 · N2520U · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the number 3 intake valve resulting in a total loss of engine power. A factor in this accident was the unsuitable terrain for landing the aircraft.
- [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 LAX91LA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA267.md): Piper PA 28-161 · Auburn, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 21, 1991 · N3573X · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's use of an excessive airspeed for the final approach, and the failure of the pilot to initiate a go around when it became apparent that the aircraft would land long on the runway. A factor in the accident was the limited total experience of the…
- [NTSB LAX91LA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA221.md): Piper PA-28-161 · San Jose, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 20, 1991 · N9135T · Substantial damage
  > Fuel starvation due to the flight instructor's improper use of the fuel selector valve and his failure to properly supervise the conduct of the flight.
- [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 SEA90FA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA098.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Susanville, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 8, 1990 · N47472 · Destroyed
  > An improper inflight decision on the part of the pilot when he misjudged the aircraft's climb in close proximity to rising terrain.
- [NTSB LAX90FA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA113.md): Piper PA28-161 · Malibu, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 11, 1990 · N2951S · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to turn into an area of known high terrain after inadvertently encountering instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB LAX90LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA073.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Coalinga, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 21, 1990 · N2572Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's misjudgement of distance and altitude to the runway, while on final approach, which resulted in his failure to attain the proper touchdown point for landing. Factors related to the accident were: darkness, haze, and soft terrain in the area where…

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?model=7102803&state=CA&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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'CA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  AND 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'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

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

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