Fatal NTSB investigations: Piper PA-30
197 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Piper PA-30. 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 | 8 |
|---|---|
| 1965 | 8 |
| 1966 | 11 |
| 1967 | 13 |
| 1968 | 7 |
| 1969 | 11 |
| 1970 | 11 |
| 1971 | 9 |
| 1972 | 5 |
| 1973 | 3 |
| 1974 | 7 |
| 1975 | 4 |
| 1976 | 3 |
| 1977 | 4 |
| 1978 | 6 |
| 1979 | 4 |
| 1980 | 5 |
| 1981 | 3 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1984 | 5 |
| 1985 | 2 |
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1987 | 2 |
| 1988 | 1 |
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 3 |
| 1991 | 6 |
| 1992 | 2 |
| 1993 | 1 |
| 1995 | 2 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 1997 | 1 |
| 1998 | 2 |
| 1999 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2025 | 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 ('7103002'))
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 ('7103002'))
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 CEN26FA064Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportPiper PA-30 · West Chicago, ILOn December 17, 2025, about 1349 central standard time, a Piper PA-30 airplane, N8693Y, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near West Chicago, Illinois. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was…NTSB CEN23FA284Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Sherman, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain control during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. Contributing was the pilot’s failure to feather the left propeller following the loss of engine power.NTSB ERA23FA274Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Claxton, GAThe flight crew’s improper fuel management, which resulted in the airplane’s right engine being starved of fuel and its subsequent total loss of power.NTSB ERA23FA270Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Ebensburg, PAThe pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of airplane control, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.NTSB ERA23FA067Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Winston-Salem, NCContamination and/or misalignment of the regulator section of the right engine’s fuel servo, which resulted in excessive idle fuel flow and a total loss of engine power. Also causal was the pilot's failure to land immediately on the nearest runway at the…NTSB CEN22FA145Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Pond Creek, OKThe pilot’s loss of control of the airplane, resulting in an in-flight breakup.NTSB ERA22FA047Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA30 · Rock Hill, SCThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while troubleshooting a landing gear indication, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at low altitude.NTSB ERA19FA170Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA 30 · Naples, FLIncapacitation of the pilot due to a birdstrike through the windshield in front of the pilot's position, while on approach to land.NTSB CEN19FA035Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 30 · Marion, INThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack following a loss of the left engine power shortly after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low for recovery. Contributing to the accident was the loss of left…NTSB CEN17FA297Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA30 · Topeka, KSThe failure of the pilot and flight instructor to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering in the traffic pattern.NTSB WPR17FA108Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 30 · Haines, AKThe pilot's decision to turn toward the inoperative engine after conducting a low-level pass, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at too low an altitude to recover. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to perform the flight and the engine…NTSB CEN16FA276Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 30 · Plainfield, ILThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during an en route climb near convective activity, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, an uncontrolled descent, and a subsequent in-flight breakup due to an exceedance of the airplane's design load…NTSB ERA15FA378Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 30 · St. Petersburg, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain single-engine minimum controllable airspeed following a loss of right engine power during initial climb. Also causal was the loss of right engine power for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the…NTSB ERA14WA187Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-30 · Collagna, ItalyOn April 4, 2014, at 0920 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), a Piper PA-30, N678AL, was destroyed when it impacted terrain during cruise flight near Collagna, Italy. The pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The flight was operated by a private…NTSB ERA14FA077Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Biglerville, PAThe noninstrument-rated pilot's spatial disorientation after inadvertently encountering instrument meteorological conditions at night and his subsequent loss of airplane control.NTSB CEN13FA432Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Amarillo, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control after a loss of left engine power due to water-contaminated fuel. Contributing to the accident was the lack of a proper preflight that could have detected water accumulation in the fuel system before takeoff.NTSB WPR13FA281Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Idaho Falls, IDA loss of power to the right engine during the initial climb due to fuel contamination and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight check of the airplane.NTSB WPR10FA217Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Merced, CAPilot incapacitation due to the combined effect of multiple unreported medical conditions.NTSB CEN10FA122Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Amarillo, TXThe pilot’s failure to detect water contaminated fuel, which resulted in a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff. Contributing to the accident were the worn and loose fuel caps, which allowed water to enter the fuel tanks.NTSB CEN10FA070Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Port Mansfield, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with the water while on approach (VFR) to land.NTSB ERA10FA088Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Raneille, WVThe pilot's improper decision to attempt visual flight into deteriorating night weather conditions, and his subsequent controlled flight into terrain.NTSB ERA09WA291Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-30 · Port Sudan, SudanOn May 10, 2009, at 0530 universal coordinated time (0830 local time), a Piper PA-30, N502TC, was destroyed when it impacted mountainous terrain about 26 nautical miles northwest of Port Sudan, Sudan. The two Yemani pilots onboard were fatally injured. The…NTSB ERA09FA027Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Selmer, TNThe pilot's failure to avoid terrain during night instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB NYC08FA054Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Parkland, FLBoth pilots' failure to see and avoid the other airplane. Contributing to the accident were the erroneous readouts from the Cessna's altitude encoder.NTSB MIA07FA117Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Nichols, FLFailure of the flight crew to maintain minimal controllable airspeed following a total loss of power in the right engine.NTSB NYC07FA091Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Trappe, MDThe pilot's improper decision to fly into an area of thunderstorms, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and subsequent in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the thunderstorm.NTSB LAX06FA089Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Visalia, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the landing approach, which resulted in a stall and uncontrolled descent. Contributing factors to the accident were the pilot's impairment due to his prolonged use of a highly sedating over-the-counter sleep aid…NTSB DFW06FA037Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Raymond, MSThe pilot's failure to maintain Vmc (velocity minimum control) on initial climb resulting in a loss of control. Contributing factors were the loss of engine power to the right engine and the prevailing gusty wind conditions.NTSB CHI05FA189Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Aurora, MOThe pilot not maintaining adequate airspeed and aircraft control during initial climb, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin at a low altitude. A factor to the accident was the pilot operating the airplane over its certified maximum gross weight.NTSB ATL05FA043Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Charleston, SCThe pilot's inadequate preflight and mismanagement of the fuel supply, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.NTSB DFW05FA015Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Boise City, OKThe pilot's incapacitation (cardiovascular) resulting in a loss of aircraft control.NTSB DEN04FA074Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Evanston, WYthe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing factors include snow, low ceiling, icing conditions, and the dark night.NTSB MIA04FA064Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Fernandina Bch, FLThe failure of the pilot to feather the left propeller and his failure to maintain control of the airplane following a loss of engine power from the left engine resulting in the in-flight collision with terrain. A factor in the accident was the loss of power…NTSB MIA04FA043Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Clearwater, FLThe failure of both pilots to maintain adequate visual lookout while entering the traffic pattern (downwind leg) at an uncontrolled airport resulting in a midair collision. inadvertent stall, and in-flight collision with terrain.NTSB ATL04FA027Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Spartanburg, SCThe pilot's failure to follow IFR procedures and descent below the glide path, which resulted in an inflight collision with trees during an instrument approach. A factor was the pilot's impairment due to the sedating effects of medication.NTSB IAD03FA058Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · NewPhiladelphia, OHThe pilot's mismanagement of the fuel, and his failure to maintain minimum controllable airspeed with one engine inoperative.NTSB LAX03FA093Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Nipomo, CAthe flying pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed that resulted in a stall/spin.NTSB NYC02FA196Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Gilford, NHThe flight instructor's failure to maintain airplane control, which resulted in an uncontrolled collision with water.NTSB CHI02FA215Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Marble Hill, MOThe solid fuel system contamination resulting in a loss of engine power. The inadequate emergency procedures, and the airspeed not maintained by the pilot were additional causes.NTSB SEA01FA175Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · McCall, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed following a loss of power on the left engine, resulting in loss of aircraft control. Factors included a loss of power on the left engine for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's failure to properly configure…NTSB MIA01FA072Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Ponce, PRThe pilot's decision to attempt flight with known deficiencies in the airplanes right engine, his failure to feather the right propeller after the engine failed , his failure to retract the landing gear following the engine failure, and his failure to…NTSB CHI00FA185Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Duluth, MNloss of control in flight for undetermined reason(s).NTSB FTW99FA222Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA30 · Holdenville, OKthe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff initial climb. Factors were the loss of right engine power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's lack of total experience in the make and model of aircraft.NTSB SEA98LA085Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Everett, WAThe pilot-in-command's exiting the aircraft with both engines running to remove a wheel chock. A factor was the inadequate preflight of the aircraft (not removing the chock) prior to engine start.NTSB IAD98FA042Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Mcmechen, WVThe pilot's inadequate pre-flight planning and preparation which resulted in fuel exhaustion during takeoff.NTSB CHI98LA072Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30/A · Hastings, NEThe pilot's improper IFR procedure, by which he failed to maintain minimum descent altitude. Fog, a low ceiling, and night condition were a contributing factor.NTSB MIA97FA049Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Goldsboro, NCThe pilot's failure to follow instrument approach procedures during numerous instrument approaches and missed approaches which resuled in a total loss of engine power on both engines due to fuel exhaustion. Factors contributing to the accident were: the…NTSB NYC96WA175Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-30 · North Italy, ItalyNTSB ATL95FA054Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30B · Franklin, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain flying speed resulting in an aerodynamic stall. A factor was sunglare.NTSB FTW95FA084Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-30 · Georgetown, TXLoss of power in both engines and loss of aircraft control for unknown reasons.