Fatal NTSB investigations: Piper PA-25-235
139 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Piper PA-25-235. 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
| 1964 | 3 |
|---|---|
| 1965 | 5 |
| 1966 | 3 |
| 1967 | 5 |
| 1968 | 5 |
| 1969 | 7 |
| 1970 | 10 |
| 1971 | 10 |
| 1972 | 4 |
| 1973 | 10 |
| 1974 | 5 |
| 1975 | 3 |
| 1976 | 4 |
| 1977 | 4 |
| 1978 | 5 |
| 1979 | 3 |
| 1980 | 5 |
| 1981 | 4 |
| 1982 | 3 |
| 1983 | 2 |
| 1984 | 1 |
| 1985 | 5 |
| 1988 | 3 |
| 1989 | 2 |
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1991 | 2 |
| 1992 | 2 |
| 1993 | 1 |
| 1994 | 2 |
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1998 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2023 | 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 ('7102504'))
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 ('7102504'))
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 ERA26FA214Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportPiper PA-25-235 · Saratoga Springs, NYOn May 26, 2026, about 1347 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235 airplane, N8656L, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Saratoga Springs, New York. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code…NTSB ERA23FA234Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Hollywood, FLThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of aircraft control.NTSB ERA19FA112Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA25 · Fort Lauderdale, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain proper altitude and clearance while maneuvering during a banner tow flight, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a 19-story building in a heavily congested area. Contributing to the accident were the easterly wind…NTSB ERA18FA006Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 25-235 · Front Royal, VAThe tow plane pilot's loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. Contributing to the accident was the glider instructor's diversion of attention away from the tow airplane which resulted in his delay in…NTSB ERA17WA124Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA25 · Villa Tapia, Dominican RepublicOn March 4, 2017, about 1330 coordinated universal time, a Piper PA-25-235, N8969L, was destroyed following a collision with antenna wires and terrain during an aerial application flight near Villa Tapia, Dominican Republic. The pilot was fatally injured. The…NTSB CEN13FA259Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Lamar, MOThe pilot's in-flight loss of control, which was likely due to a sudden cardiac event.NTSB ERA12FA130Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Jacksonville, FLThe pilot's in-flight loss of control during climb after a banner pickup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to marijuana.NTSB CEN11LA581Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Whitewood, SDThe pilot's collision with terrain for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN10FA115Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Boulder, COThe failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other resulting in a midair collision. Contributing to the accident was the lack of perceived visual relative motion of the Piper and the Cirrus to the pilot of each airplane, the terrain background, and the…NTSB WPR10FA068Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchleicher ASW-27 · Middletown, CAThe failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to yield right of way to the glider.NTSB ERA09LA131Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Pensacola, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed following a total loss of engine power during a low-level approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was fuel exhaustion due to the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning.NTSB CHI08LA124Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · New Lisbon, WIThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude during a course reversal at the completion of an agricultural spray run.NTSB LAX07LA163Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Delta, UTthe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in a stall and collision with terrain.NTSB CHI06LA223Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Underwood, NDThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the power line during the aerial application flight.NTSB ATL05LA149Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Colquitt, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain visual lookout and clearance from obstacles while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a tree and subsequent uncontrolled descent into the ground.NTSB LAX04LA240Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Peoria, AZthe pilot's failure to maintain a proper pitch attitude during tow operations and his failure to maintain an adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin.NTSB CHI03LA263Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Sparta, MIThe loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and the inadvertent stall/spin encountered. The inadequate fuel supply, airspeed not being maintained, low altitude, and terrain were factors to the accident.NTSB MIA98LA222Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Bainbridge, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed resulting in a stall.NTSB MIA98LA115Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Bainbridge, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall. Contributing factors were the pilot's lack experience in this category of aircraft. An additional factor was the inadequate upgrade training provided by the company that owned the…NTSB LAX95LA183Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Peoria, AZthe pilot's inflight loss of control due to his delay in releasing the glider after the towed glider experienced an unplanned altitude gain on takeoff when it encountered a dust devil.NTSB ATL94LA119Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235C · Bainbridge, GAThe inadvertent stall by the pilot during practice agricultural spraying runs.NTSB FTW94FA191Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Breckenridge, TXThe pilot's continued VFR flight into IMC. Factors were the weather and the lack of flight instruments.NTSB ATL93LA121Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Bainbridge, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the ground.NTSB NYC92LA160Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25 · Wallington, OHPilot incapacitation due to acute coronary insufficiency which resulted in a loss of control of the airplane and impact with the ground.NTSB CHI92DTK01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Iroquois, SDAn improper maneuver and failure to attain level off by the pilot in command while performing aerial application.NTSB FTW92DPJ02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-25 · Warner, OKThe complete loss of engine power for undetermined reason.NTSB ATL91LA168Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235C · Bainbridge, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from objects while practicing aerial application procedures.NTSB FTW90DQG04Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Lubbock, TXFailure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed and altitude during a turn-around maneuver, which resulted in the aircraft stalling into the ground.NTSB DEN89DTI01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Conrad, MTThe pilot's failure to see the guy wire in time to avoid colliding with it.NTSB MKC89DCA01Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Auxvasse, MOThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, resulting in an inadvertant stall.NTSB FTW89DQG02Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-25 · Amarillo, TXFailure on the part of the pilot to maintain the proper airspeed for the maneuver being performed, followed by a stall at an altitude insufficient to recover.NTSB BFO88DID04Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-25-250 · Waverly, VAThe acft contacted pwr lines, crashed and burned during an aerial appliation flt. Witnesses reported that it looked as if the plt descended to fly under the lines when it suddenly pulled up and contacted them.NTSB MKC88DCD03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Eldora, IAPilot was spraying a bean field when a witness saw his aircraft strike the ground. The aircraft then climbed to approximately 200 feet and leveled off. It then began a gentle climb, then entered a spin and desended into the ground. Examination of the aircraft…NTSB DEN86FA022Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235B · Holly, COAccording to the plt's brother, he was on a flt to calibrate the acft's spraying equipment & to make a few practice crop spraying runs. While flying at aprx 30 ft AGL, the acft struck power lines, then crashed to the ground & burned. No preimpact part failure…NTSB SEA85FA208Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Wenatchee, WAAfter two application runs, plt apparently attempted to shorten the race-track pattern by initiating the inbound turn into a canyon. Acft was observed to climb clear of the canyon wall near completion of turn, but load was jettisoned at this point and the…NTSB FTW85FQG03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Morton, TXAfter the plt completed a swath run, the acft entered a rgt climbing maneuver, then rolled wings level. After that, it reportedly began an abrupt climb for aprx 50 to 60 ft, then nosed down & crashed in a steep descent. After impact, the acft was destroyed by…NTSB SEA85LA152Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Burns, ORDuring aerial applications the pilot cleared a rise, got a down draft, struck trees and then stalled striking the ground with little forward motion. An intense explosion and fire followed. The fire origin was in the area of the fiberglass fuel tank. An…NTSB LAX85FA216Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA25-235 · Walnut Grove, CAThe acft flew into the ground on a procedure turnaround while spraying wheat with a toxic chemical. The acft did not stall and the engine sound did not change. A separated aileron crossover cable showed no fatigue. The cholinesterase level in the pilot's…NTSB DEN84FA219Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Peetz, COPlt had completed spraying around farm buildings for insect control. On first pass in crop area, the acft was observed to pull up over pwr lines at end of swath run but collided with overhead ground wire at top of multi- wire array. Acft then collided with…NTSB MKC83FA177Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Bentley, KSThe acft stalled, crashed, nosed over and burned during an aerial application maneuver. The owner of the acft was spraying the same field in another acft and saw the accident. He stated, the acft pulled up at the completion of a run, was in a turn around when…NTSB FTW83FA261Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Omega, OKThe plt had just completed spraying a field & was in a right turn when the right wing tip hit gently rising terrain. The owner thought that the plt might have diverted his attention while looking at a farmer's map to locate the next field. (Several similar…NTSB MIA82FKJ05Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-25 · Jay, FLThe acft stalled during a spraying operation. The plt received his private pilot's certificate approximately four months prior to the accident. He had no flt time logged in a PA-25 & no information could be found to indicate the plt had received any…NTSB FTW82FQG19Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-25 · Edmonson, TXThe pilot had been spraying the field for about 1 hr and was on the last pass. The owner/flagger stated that he had warned the pilot (by using a two way radio) to watch out for a standpipe and radio antenna, and the pilot acknowledged. He reported the plane…NTSB ATL82DA062Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Griffin, GAThe pilot was hired to perform for the filming of an agricultural spraying operation. During one of the low passes the aircraft struck two of the ground crew. The cameraman received fatal injuries. Pieces of the wooden propeller, used to drive the spray pump,…NTSB ATL81FID20Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-25 · Sandston, VANTSB ATL81FKQ24Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-25 · Bentonia, MSNTSB CHI81FEV24Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-25 · Olney, ILNTSB LAX81FUJ57Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-25 · New River, AZNTSB FTW80FRJ35Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-25 · Transylvania, LANTSB FTW80FQG36Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-25 · Midkiff, TX