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Fatal NTSB investigations: Piper PA-18-135

22 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Piper PA-18-135. Aircraft are matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model, so older matches can be wrong.

Defining event

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Cases per year

19642026

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Latest cases

Query with 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 ('7101820')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

duckdb -csv -c "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 ('7101820'))
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

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 ('7101820'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.

NTSB ANC10FA038Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-135 · Willow, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree due to the effects of impairment from alcohol consumption.May 14, 2010 · N1123 · Substantial damage NTSB CEN10LA034Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-135 · Sikeston, MOThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a crosswind takeoff.Oct 31, 2009 · N1198C · Substantial damage NTSB ATL05FA086Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-135 · Conway, SCThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering after releasing a banner aerial sign, resulting in an inadvertent stall and collision with the ground. A factor in the accident was the flight instructor's improper supervision of the pilot receiving…May 23, 2005 · N9951Q · Destroyed NTSB FTW98FA101Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-135 · Wooster, ARthe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with trees during an aborted landing. A contributing factor was the pilot's delayed decision to abort the long landing.Jan 16, 1998 · N99302 · Destroyed NTSB SEA97LA036Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA18-135 · Cohagen, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed. Factors were the intentional flight at a low altitude and the over gross condition of the airplane.Dec 5, 1996 · N62100 · Substantial damage NTSB SEA96LA216Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Gillette, WYfailure of the pilot to see-and-avoid the obstruction (power line). The powerline was a related factor.Sep 19, 1996 · N8789C · Substantial damage NTSB CHI95FA002Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-135 · Martinsville, INThe pilot's impairment of judgment and performance due to alcohol, improper planning/decision, and failure to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance above the ground.Oct 2, 1994 · N99305 · Destroyed NTSB LAX94FA360Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-135 · Winslow, AZthe pilot's inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent into the ground from a low altitude while scouting for game.Sep 12, 1994 · N2207A · Destroyed NTSB NYC89FA007Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-135 · Akron, NYThe Piper PA-18-135 stalled on takeoff and crashed. Witnesses said they observed the aircraft nose high, not climbing, and at a slow airspeed. They reported that the aircraft banked left and struck trees. The aircraft descended through the trees to the ground…Oct 9, 1988 · N8179C · Destroyed NTSB MKC85FA191Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18-135 · New Madrid, MOA witness said N267CD made a low pass down the farm airstrip and as the acft neared the end of the strip, it began a climb, banked to the left and descended to the ground. The acft impacted in a nose low, left wing low attitude.Aug 18, 1985 · N267CD · Destroyed NTSB MKC85FA169Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · North Loup, NEThe acft was observed flying low over the ground in the vicinity of where it eventually crashed. A witness aprx 1/2 mi from the crash site noticed the plane flying low over a corn field as though the student plt was practicing ag-acft type swath runs. (The…Jul 27, 1985 · N9973Q · Destroyed NTSB ANC84FA074Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-18 · Sleetmute, AKAccording to witnesses, the plt made 3 low passes at some boats in Sleetmute slough. They estimated the passes were at 5 to 10 ft above the water, then the plt would pull up in a steep climb attitude, execute a 180 deg turn and make another pass. After the…May 22, 1984 · N1378C · Substantial damage NTSB CHI81FA095Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-18 · Chippewa Falls, WISep 2, 1981 · N99053 · Destroyed NTSB SEA76AS078Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-18 · Zurich, MTSep 24, 1976 · N8966C · Destroyed NTSB DEN74AD018Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-18 · Lusk, WYOct 28, 1973 · N8579C · Destroyed NTSB ANC72AA013Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-18 · Kenai, AKAug 24, 1971 · N3393B · 2 aircraft · Destroyed NTSB CAN71A0902Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-18 · Ontario, CanadaMay 29, 1970 · N2321A · Substantial damage NTSB SEA68A0055Accident · 2 fatalClosedBeech D18S · Ferndale, WAFeb 24, 1968 · N4545 · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage NTSB ANC68A0011Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-18 · Anchorage, AKAug 16, 1967 · N8759C · Destroyed NTSB CHI67A0066Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-18 · Cassopolis, MINov 20, 1966 · N1997A · Destroyed NTSB ANC67A0045Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-18 · Yakutat, AKNov 10, 1966 · N1589P · Destroyed NTSB UNK64X2558Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA18 · Vivian, SDJun 29, 1964 · N3396B · Destroyed