Fatal NTSB investigations: Piper PA-24-260
91 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Piper PA-24-260. 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.
Cases per year
| 1965 | 2 |
|---|---|
| 1966 | 5 |
| 1967 | 3 |
| 1968 | 2 |
| 1969 | 5 |
| 1970 | 5 |
| 1971 | 6 |
| 1972 | 4 |
| 1973 | 3 |
| 1974 | 2 |
| 1975 | 1 |
| 1976 | 4 |
| 1977 | 2 |
| 1978 | 1 |
| 1980 | 3 |
| 1981 | 3 |
| 1982 | 3 |
| 1983 | 2 |
| 1985 | 2 |
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1987 | 1 |
| 1988 | 1 |
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 2 |
| 1991 | 2 |
| 1992 | 1 |
| 1993 | 1 |
| 1994 | 1 |
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 2 |
| 1999 | 2 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Where
Open the mapLatest cases
Query with SQL
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 ('7102406'))
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 ('7102406'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESCRun 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 ANC26FA091Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportPiper PA-24-260 · Seldovia, AKOn August 26, 2026 about 1317 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-24-260 airplane, N9485P, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Seldovia, Alaska. The pilot and three passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a…NTSB ERA22FA014Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Blairsville, GAThe pilot’s decision to commence the flight in low IFR weather conditions, and making immediate turns after takeoff in IMC, resulting in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control.NTSB WPR18FA119Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 24-260 · Scottsdale, AZThe flight instructor's failure to maintain airplane control during the initial climb as a result of the airplane being loaded above its maximum gross weight and beyond its aft center of gravity limits. Contributing to the accident was a degraded engine power…NTSB ERA16LA258Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA24 · Westwood, MAThe pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in exhaustion of the fuel in the selected fuel tank and a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.NTSB WPR16FA059Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 24-260 · Santa Rosa, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during an instrument approach in night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of recent experience in night…NTSB CEN15FA232Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 24-260 · Spring Branch, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain control during takeoff due to his impairment from marijuana. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impaired decision to fly after using a disqualifying drug.NTSB CEN13FA351Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · La Pointe, WIThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control after deciding to go around after a gear-up landing, resulting in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB CEN11FA079Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Norfolk, NEThe pilot’s decision to continue the flight into instrumental meteorological conditions which resulted in a collision with a tree.NTSB WPR09FA116Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Hagerman, IDThe student pilot's spatial disorientation, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and subsequent in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's mental condition which could have contributed to the inappropriate decision to fly the…NTSB ERA09FA029Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24 · Red Hill, VAThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control due to an improper repair to the stabilator, which resulted in an in-flight failure of the stabilator. Contributing to the accident was the descent in turbulence, at airspeeds above the maximum structural…NTSB CHI07FA041Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Bucyrus, OHThe inadvertent stall the pilot encountered during cruise flight while inadvertently entering an area of icing and his exceeding the design limits of the airplane during the subsequent descent. Factors were the reported icing weather present aloft, the…NTSB IAD05LA137Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Tiffin, OHThe pilot's decision to takeoff in weather below the published takeoff minimums, which resulted in spatial disorientation and the airplane's collision with trees and terrain. Factors in the accident were the instrument meteorological conditions, and the…NTSB CHI02FA292Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Ankeny, IAThe pilot applied an excessive angle of bank and failed to maintain terrain clearance. An additonal factor was the pilot's attention being diverted.NTSB FTW02FA192Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Gorman, TXThe pilot's loss of control and the exceedence of the design limits of the airplane which resulted in an in-flight break-up. A factor was inadvertent VFR flight into IMC.NTSB SEA00WA130Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-24-260 · Chilko Lake, CanadaNTSB MIA00FA118Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Panama City, FLThe pilot experiencing spatial disorientation while reversing course during a dark night while over water which resul;ted in an in-flight collision with water. A factor was the dark night lighting conditions.NTSB FTW00FA035Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · New Orleans, LAthe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control which resulted in a stall/spin. A contributing factor was the dusk light condition.NTSB ANC99FAMS1Accident · 2 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Juneau, AKUndetermined. Missing aircraft.NTSB MIA97FA097Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Andrews, NCThe pilot's poor in-flight planning in attempting to maintain VFR conditions at night over mountainous terrain, and his failure to maintain clearance from the mountain. Contributing to the accident was: the pilot's inadequate preflight planning for not…NTSB SEA97FA044Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Winston, MTPilot incapacitation due to hypoxia. Failure of the pilot to use available oxygen is a factor.NTSB LAX96FA275Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Tennant, CAthe pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather conditions.NTSB FTW95FA402Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24B-260 · Westcliffe, COVFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude or clearance from mountainous terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: the light conditions at dusk, the adverse weather…NTSB FTW94FA300Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Tennesse Colony, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed and the resultant inadvertent stall/spin. A factor was the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB BFO93LA186Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Niagara Falls, NYThe pilot's failure to follow starting procedures and his inadequate preflight inspection by not removing the wheel chocks and the passenger not maintaining clearance from the propeller.NTSB SEA92FA147Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Woods Cross, UTPilot factor in that he failed to attain and maintain sufficient flying speed. Factors to the accident were: cylinder over temperature, improper use of the mixture and procedures/directives were not followed.NTSB MIA91FAMS1Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Missing, FLUndetermined.NTSB ATL91FA047Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Cordele, GAFailure of the pilot to attain proper runway alignment and to maintain proper altitude. Related factors were: darkness and the pilot becoming lost/disoriented.NTSB SEA90FA197Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Bend, ORAn engine power loss due to fuel starvation as a result of a broken seal in the fuel injector servo. In addition, the pilot misjudged his approach into an open field.NTSB NYC90FA227Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Eliot, METhe pilot's failure to abort the takeoff. Factors were the over weight condition, upsloping runway, premature rotation, and the pilot's lack of experience in type aircraft and general aviation operations.NTSB LAX89FA106Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Julian, CAThe pilot's poor judgement of intentionally flying into an area of known forecast icing conditions which resulted in a loss of control and an inflight breakup of the aircraft. Contributing factors were the pilot's overconfidence in his personal ability by…NTSB FTW88FA085Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Henrietta, TXThe plt was given a pre-flt wx briefing by a fss briefer. He rcvd a full & thorough briefing, except the briefer did not have an opnl wx radar set available. The plt was adzd of a line of thunderstorms (tstms) to the southwest, moving east at 20 KTS. He was…NTSB MKC87FA169Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Kanorado, KSThe fss stated they had personally briefed the student pilot on the wx en route for this night flight and told him VFR was not recommended. At the first stop, he called the co-owner of the airplane and told her he had been flying around storms. At the next…NTSB NYC86FA214Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Ft. Dix, NJThe acft was headed sw on victor sixteen inbound to coyle VOR when the plt reported the loss of gyro instruments. The acft was at 6000 ft and in 'solid IFR weather.' The plt elected not to declare emergency and land when asked if he wanted to do so by ATC.…NTSB LAX86FA069Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Newport Beach, CAThe plt contacted coast TRACON (terminal radar control) & requested VFR traffic advisories to torrence. At aprx 0747 psthe declared an emergency, said the eng had quit & requested vectors to the john wayne/orange county arpt. The controllerprovided a hdg to…NTSB MKC85FA089Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Wakeeney, KSOn a x-country flt from dodge city, KS, to hill city, KS, the plt encountered IFR wx conditions around Wakeeney, KS. The IFR conditions were not forecast for his area of flt. A 2000 CST observation at hill city, KS, was indicating IFR conditions existing aprx…NTSB ATL84FA064Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260B · Mcdonald, TNThe plt received 2 wx briefings before takeoff & was provided flt precautions of IMC to continue beyond 0900 EST. Also, he was advised that the mountains would be occasionally obscured & icing could be expected to the west below 6000 ft. during both…NTSB MIA84FA036Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Kathleen, FLThe acft impacted in a swampy area in a fast dive which separated about 6 ft of the left wing. The acft was being vectored on radar when it suddenly began to steer erratically and go off the radar scope. The plt had radioed that he 'must have gone over some…NTSB ATL83FA041Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Culpepper, VAAbout 16 min after takeoff the plt reported to ARTCC that he had lost the artificial horizon, gyro & vacuum pump. Radio & radar contact was lost shortly thereafter. Examination of the vacuum pump failed to reveal a pre-impact failure or malfunction. The acft…NTSB FTW82FA382Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Paris, TXThe PA-24 had departed rwy 17 at cox field & was climbing at the time of the collision. The plt had reported his intended departure on UNICOM. The AA5B had reported 5 mi sw of the arpt descending through 5,000 ft. for landing. The head-on collision occurred…NTSB FTW82FRG26Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-24-260 · Kingsville, TXOn 3/17/82 a wx briefer advised the pilot all of Texas would be under instrument meteorological conditons on the morningof 3/18/82. There was no record of a flt plan filed by the pilot of N8988P and the departure time from Kingsville could not be determined.…NTSB CHI82FA009Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Kerrick, MNNTSB SEA81FA040Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Riverside, ORNTSB SEA83FYM03Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Scappoose, ORNTSB ATL81FA029Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Newport News, VANTSB NYC80FA071Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Atlantic City, NJNTSB NYC80FA028Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · East Freedom, PANTSB CHI79FA011Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Ashton, ILNTSB NYC77FA087Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · New Lebanon, NYNTSB CHI77FA046Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Evansville, WINTSB DEN76AD064Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-24 · Pierce, CO