# NTSB investigations: Piper PA-28-181, AZ

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 · 55 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR26LA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA092.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Scottsdale, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 21, 2026 · N505AF · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to properly adjust their seat and failure to set the parking brake before engine start, which resulted in a collision with parked vehicles.
- [NTSB WPR26LA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA045.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Mesa, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · Nov 17, 2025 · N4402N · Substantial damage
  > On November 17, 2025, about 0830 mountain standard time, a Piper PA 28-181, N4402N, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Mesa, Arizona. The flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. The airplane was operated as a…
- [NTSB WPR24LA306](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA306.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Yuma, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 2, 2024 · N3044U · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to maintain clearance from a fence during taxi operations.
- [NTSB WPR24LA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA076.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Colorado City, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 13, 2024 · N2886X · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power due to the failure of the No. 2 piston pin plug, which resulted in oil starvation and subsequent failure of the No. 3 connecting rod. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate engine inspections by maintenance personnel.
- [NTSB WPR23LA238](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA238.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Mesa, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 17, 2023 · N28034 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR23LA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA164.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Mesa, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 22, 2023 · N4402A · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.
- [NTSB WPR23LA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA071.md): Piper PA28 · San Manual, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 18, 2022 · N4144P · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing which, resulted in a runway excursion.
- [NTSB WPR22FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA001.md): Robinson Helicopter R22 · Chandler, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 1, 2021 · N412TL · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilots onboard the airplane to see and avoid the helicopter while maneuvering in the traffic pattern, which resulted in a midair collision.
- [NTSB WPR20CA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA088.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Mesa, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 4, 2020 · N4400F · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control and the flight instructor's inadequate remediation during a short-field takeoff, which resulted in impact with a parked airplane.
- [NTSB WPR20CA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA052.md): Piper PA28 · Chandler, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 23, 2019 · N924PA · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's loss of directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a collision with a taxiway sign.
- [NTSB WPR19LA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA259.md): Piper PA28 · Marana, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 14, 2019 · N4403Z · Substantial damage
  > Excessive fuel pressure and temperature throughout the fuel system due to heat soaking, which resulted in an engine fire during engine start.
- [NTSB GAA19CA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA212.md): Piper PA28 · Wickenburg, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 17, 2019 · N425PA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain lateral control during landing and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the subsequent aborted landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB WPR19TA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19TA031.md): Piper PA28 · Chandler, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Nov 5, 2018 · N9299B · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain a safe distance from the other airplane while taxiing, resulting in a ground collision.
- [NTSB WPR18LA248](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA248.md): Piper PA28 · Tat Momoli, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 29, 2018 · N4139A · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to a fatigue crack in the connecting rod bushing end.
- [NTSB GAA18CA274](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA274.md): Piper PA28 · Wickenburg, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 10, 2018 · N430PA · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in tailwind conditions.
- [NTSB GAA18CA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA234.md): Piper PA28 · Wickenburg, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 25, 2018 · N922PA · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to relinquish flight controls and premature flap reduction during approach to land.
- [NTSB GAA18CA208](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA208.md): Piper PA 28 · Tucson, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 8, 2018 · N4400W · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a stationary pole while parking.
- [NTSB GAA18CA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA193.md): Piper PA28 · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 1, 2018 · N297PA · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper selection of the flap setting during a go-around, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB GAA17CA487](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA487.md): Piper PA28 · Chandler, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 14, 2017 · N915PA · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.
- [NTSB GAA17CA189](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA189.md): Piper PA 28 · Gila Bend, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 12, 2017 · N288PA · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to review the notices to airmen related to the airport, which resulted in his landing on a closed runway and the airplane striking runway closed markers.
- [NTSB GAA17CA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA166.md): Piper PA28 · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 27, 2017 · N309PA · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s incorrect control inputs while taking off with a known quartering tailwind, which resulted in a loss of directional control and runway excursion.
- [NTSB GAA16CA237](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA237.md): Piper PA28 · Wickenburg, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 12, 2016 · N416PA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to monitor the parked vehicle, which resulted in a ground collision and substantial damage to the left wing.
- [NTSB GAA15CA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA110.md): Piper PA 28-181 · Wickenburg, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 24, 2015 · N442PA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to monitor the airplane's wing clearance during taxi, which resulted in a collision with a parked airplane.
- [NTSB WPR14FA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14FA111.md): Piper PA 28-181 · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 4, 2014 · N312PA · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s inadvertent positioning of the fuel selector in an intermediate position, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
- [NTSB WPR13FA254](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA254.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Anthem, AZ · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 31, 2013 · N327PA · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilots in both aircraft to maintain adequate visual lookout in a known training area where multiple aircraft frequently operated, which resulted in a midair collision.
- [NTSB WPR12FA420](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12FA420.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Strawberry, AZ · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 13, 2012 · N4188E · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's and the evaluator's failure to divert at an appropriate time during cruise flight, which resulted in the airplane's inability to maintain a sufficient altitude to clear rising terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight…
- [NTSB WPR12CA380](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA380.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Wickenburg, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 30, 2012 · N309PA · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s delayed response in correcting the student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR12LA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA076.md): Piper PA28 · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 6, 2012 · N4175V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inability to maintain directional control during the landing roll for reasons that could not be determined because impact damage precluded determination of the preaccident functionality of the braking and steering systems.
- [NTSB WPR11FA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA145.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 26, 2011 · N910PA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot and flight instructor's failure to adequately monitor the flight task and environment while maneuvering to maintain sufficient altitude with rising terrain in dark night conditions and the flight instructor's improper decision to practice in an area…
- [NTSB WPR11CA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA085.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Wickenburg, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 4, 2011 · N443PA · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain clearance between the airplane's right wing and the pole.
- [NTSB WPR11CA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA084.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 8, 2010 · N418PA · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstacles while taxiing.
- [NTSB WPR10CA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA172.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 21, 2010 · N428PA · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's failure to attain and maintain adequate airspeed while demonstrating a soft-field takeoff.
- [NTSB WPR10FA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10FA120.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 28, 2010 · N293PA · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s decision to take off in marginal visual flight rules conditions, which resulted in an encounter with low clouds, and the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires while maneuvering in the traffic pattern for landing.
- [NTSB WPR09CA410](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA410.md): Piper PA28 · Glendale, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 21, 2009 · N424PA · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
- [NTSB WPR09CA406](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA406.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Mesa, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 19, 2009 · N4177L · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control during landing.
- [NTSB LAX08CA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA199.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Mesa, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 25, 2008 · N4144P · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing and failure to maintain directional control.
- [NTSB LAX08CA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA076.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 15, 2008 · N416PA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the crosswind condition.
- [NTSB SEA08LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08LA015.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 30, 2007 · N309PA · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the solo student pilot operating the other airplane to maintain clearance while taxiing for takeoff.
- [NTSB LAX04CA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA093.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Scottsdale, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 14, 2004 · N4160A · Substantial damage
  > failure of the pilot to maintain directional control on the takeoff roll. A factor in the accident was the pilot's failure to retract the flaps.
- [NTSB LAX03LA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA228.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 7, 2003 · N288PA · Substantial damage
  > The disengagement of the left control wheel from the control column, which was due to the attaching screw backing out of the nut plate. Also causal was the manufacturer's inadequate design of the installation and the improper length of the screw.
- [NTSB LAX03LA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA144.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Bullhead City, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 25, 2003 · N38137 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's misjudgment of distance resulting in the inadequate clearance between the wing tip and the fuel truck.
- [NTSB LAX02LA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA126.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Goodyear, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 5, 2002 · N4181M · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's misjudgment of clearance and his failure to adhere to the flight school's policy/procedures for taxiing around obstructions.
- [NTSB LAX01LA214](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA214.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Sedona, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 16, 2001 · N4299Q · Substantial damage
  > the induction manifold fire resulting from an engine backfire during engine start. The reason for the engine backfire was not determined.
- [NTSB LAX01LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA122.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Gila Bend, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 20, 2001 · N4188E · Substantial damage
  > Failure of the CFI to properly supervise the flight and the failure of the dual studen to maintain flying airspeed. A contributing factor was the wind shear encountered.
- [NTSB LAX00LA341](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA341.md): Piper PA-28-161 · Prescott, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 17, 2000 · N6303C · Substantial damage
  > An improper engine installation by other maintenance personnel that resulted in a fuel leak at the main fuel line fitting to the carburetor and subsequent fuel exhaustion during cruise flight.
- [NTSB LAX99LA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA127.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Scottsdale, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 22, 1999 · N4188E · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the local and ground controller to coordinate the clearances of both aircraft and to maintain separation of the traffic in the taxiway movement area.
- [NTSB LAX99LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA073.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Arlington, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 11, 1999 · N4129S · Destroyed
  > The flight instructor's inadequate supervision of his student and his failure to initiate timely remedial action. Contributing factors were the student's failure to maintain the proper glidepath under the existing downdraft condition, the flight instructor's…
- [NTSB LAX91FA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA106.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Fredonia, AZ · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 17, 1991 · N4384L · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inattention to the airspeed and subsequent loss of aircraft control after attempting VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to recognize his limitations of his aircraft.
- [NTSB LAX83FUJ13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FUJ13.md): Piper PA-28R-180 · Flagstaff, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Apr 16, 1983 · N4579J · Substantial damage
  > The plt reported he had a problem with the spark plugs loading up before he departed sacramento, CA on a x-country & ther magneto (mag) had been overhauled before he departed. He stated the eng ran well 'except for brief plug load (one cyl)cleared by leaning…
- [NTSB LAX81FA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FA061.md): Piper PA-28 · Tucson, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Mar 18, 1981 · N8274B · 2 aircraft · Destroyed

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?model=7102807&state=AZ&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" = 'AZ' 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 ('7102807', '7102832'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?model=7102807&state=AZ

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