Fatal NTSB investigations: Piper PA-32-260
152 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Piper PA-32-260. 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 | 1 |
|---|---|
| 1966 | 6 |
| 1967 | 4 |
| 1968 | 4 |
| 1969 | 7 |
| 1970 | 7 |
| 1971 | 4 |
| 1972 | 7 |
| 1973 | 2 |
| 1974 | 10 |
| 1975 | 7 |
| 1976 | 3 |
| 1977 | 5 |
| 1978 | 5 |
| 1979 | 3 |
| 1980 | 5 |
| 1981 | 2 |
| 1982 | 2 |
| 1983 | 4 |
| 1984 | 1 |
| 1985 | 1 |
| 1986 | 2 |
| 1987 | 5 |
| 1988 | 1 |
| 1989 | 3 |
| 1991 | 2 |
| 1992 | 2 |
| 1994 | 5 |
| 1995 | 5 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 2 |
| 1998 | 1 |
| 1999 | 2 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 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 ('7103206'))
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 ('7103206'))
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 WPR26FA069Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportPiper PA-32-260 · Rio Linda, CAOn December 24, 2025, at approximately 1230 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-32-260, N2785Q, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Rio Linda, California. The pilot sustained serious injuries, and the pilot-rated passenger was…NTSB WPR24FA105Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Madras, ORThe pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an encounter with turbulence and structural icing conditions, loss of control, and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB GAA24WA049Accident · 5 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA-32-260 · Terre-de-Haut, GuadeloupeNTSB ERA23FA185Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Sebastian, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.NTSB ANC23LA002Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Cordova, AKThe pilot’s improper decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB CEN22FA208Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Broomfield, COThe pilot’s failure to abort the takeoff due to degraded engine performance. Contributing to the accident was the reduced performance of the engine, the reason for which could not be determined.NTSB CEN22FA131Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Fostoria, OHThe pilot’s loss of airplane control in night instrument meteorological conditions during the procedure turn of an instrument approach due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in a collision with terrain.NTSB GAA22WA067Accident · 2 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA-32-260 · Chame, PanamaNTSB GAA21WA163Accident · 6 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA-32-260 · Leogane, HaitiNTSB CEN21FA263Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Madisonville, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain a proper glidepath during final approach for landing, which resulted in impact with trees and terrain.NTSB GAA21WA099Accident · 6 fatalClass 5 · ForeignPiper PA-32-260 · Monterrey, MexicoNTSB WPR21FA114Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Los Angeles, CAThe total loss of engine power due to the failure of the No. 6 exhaust valve for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.NTSB ERA20FA085Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA32 · Lake City, FLThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control at low altitude.NTSB CEN20WA024Accident · 7 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA32 · Kingston, CanadaNTSB CEN19RA145Accident · 5 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA32 · Roatán, HondurasimportNTSB ERA18FA022Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA32 · Fountain Run, KYThe noninstrument-rated pilot's intentional visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to complete…NTSB ANC13FAMS2Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Yakutat, AKUndetermined because the pilot and airplane were not found.NTSB CEN12FA108Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Bryan, TXThe pilot’s inadvertent encounter with severe weather, which resulted in the airplane’s left wing failing in positive overload. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s reliance on outdated weather information that he received on his in-cockpit…NTSB CEN12FA097Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · St. Ignace, MIThe pilot’s decision to initiate visual flight in instrument meteorological conditions and subsequent failure to maintain adequate altitude.NTSB WPR09FA038Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Sedona, AZThe partial loss of engine power while maneuvering for undetermined reasons.NTSB NYC08FA180Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Cruso, NCThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning and inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions with moderate to severe turbulence prevailing. Contributing to the accident were the instrument meteorological conditions and turbulence.NTSB NYC07FAMS1Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Westhampton, NYUndetermined. The airplane remains missing.NTSB ATL07FA102Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Tyringham, MAThe pilot's inadvertent encounter with thunderstorms during cruise flight. Contributing to the accident was the failure of air traffic control to appropriately issue weather information and initiate an in-flight deviation around known and clearly observed…NTSB ATL06FA102Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Suches, GAThe pilot's failure to retract the wing flaps and his decision to make a turn while performing a go-around.NTSB DEN04FA115Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Mineral Wells, TXthe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall. A contributing factor was the low altitude.NTSB MIA04FA086Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Venice, FLFailure of the pilot to recover from an improper landing flare resulting in his failure to maintain airspeed (Vs), an inadvertant stall, loss of control, and inflight collision with terrain during an uncontrolled descent.NTSB CHI04FA044Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Brooklyn, IAThe pilot's inadequate planning/decision resulting in VFR flight into IMC, and his failure to maintain terrain clearance resulting in in-flight collision with terrain. Contributing factors to the accident were the pilot's lack of an instrument rating, his…NTSB MIA02FA045Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Jacksonville, FLThe pilot becoming spatially disoriented and losing control of the airplane during a missed approach resulting in the airplane descending uncontrolled and colliding with trees and the ground.NTSB MIA01LA212Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Key West, FLThe inadvertent disabling of the throttle in the idle position during a cockpit disturbance created when an armed hijacker forcibly attempted to cause the aircraft to fly to Cuba, resulting in a loss of controllability of power for sustainable flight and an…NTSB SEA01FA145Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Puyallup, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during departure resulting in a stall. Trees were a factor in the accident.NTSB CHI01FA233Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Chenoa, ILThe inadvertent stall the pilot encountered during his turn with an in-flight loss of engine power due to fuel starvation on initial climbout and the improper in-flight decision he made to continue the turn. Factors were the fuel starvation and the incorrect…NTSB NYC99FA220Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Westerly, RIThe pilot's loss of control of the airplane during a turn.NTSB NYC99FA187Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · North Lima, OHThe pilot's loss of control of the airplane during a turn. Factors include the pilot's failure maintain sufficient airspeed, and his failure to maintain the airplane in proper trim.NTSB CHI98LA102Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Mc Cordsville, INThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed and control of the airplane. Factors were his self-induced pressure.NTSB NYC98FA041Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Pittsville, MDthe pilot's impairment of judgment and performance due to alcohol, his resultant improper planning/decision and flight in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude while flying over wooded terrain. Factors…NTSB MIA98FA007Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 35-C33A · Robbins, NCfailure of the pilots in both aircraft to see-and-avoid each other's airplane (inadequate visual lookout), and failure of the Beech pilot to operate his airplane at a correct Visual Flight Rules (VFR) cruising altitude for his route of flight.NTSB NYC97FA025Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Felton, PAThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation, and his failure to refuel which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent collision with trees during the forced landing.NTSB MIA95LA158Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Brooksville, FLA loss of engine power after takeoff for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.NTSB MIA95FA145Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Gainesville, FLThe pilot's loss of aircraft control due to spatial disorientation after continuing the VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors relating to the accident were: the existing weather conditions and dark night that contributed to the pilot's…NTSB MIA95LA144Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Vieques, PRUndetermined.NTSB CHI95LA120Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · St. Clair, MOthe pilot's impairment of judgment and performance due to drugs which led to his operating the airplane with a known mechanical deficiency.NTSB NYC95FA068Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Suffolk, VAThe pilot's inadequate preflight and improper in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. Darkness was a factor related to the improper planning/decision-making for the emergency landing.NTSB BFO94FA144Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Front Royal, VAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance, his improper in-flight decision and his inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) which resulted in in-flight collision with terrain. The high terrain and weather conditions were…NTSB ANC94FA106Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Kenai, AKInadequate engine maintenance and/or inspection, and fatigue cracking of the engine case, which resulted in eventual damage to the #3 cylinder studs/engine through-bolts, subsequent separation of the #3 cylinder and piston, and an in-flight fire.NTSB NYC94FA134Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Minford, OHThe pilot's failure to follow the published instrument departure procedure. A factor in the accident were the weather conditions.NTSB MIA94FA175Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Gulf Of MexicoLoss of engine power due to an undetermined reason. A factor related to the accident was: inadequate passenger briefing by the pilot.NTSB SEA94FA106Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Kellogg, IDFailure of the pilot to maintain aircraft control, due to spatial disorientation, while flying with partial panel, and the design stress limits of the aircraft being exceeded. Factors related to the accident were: failure of the vacuum system, which resulted…NTSB NYC93FA012Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Pulaski, VAThe improper decision by the non-instrument-rated pilot to continue VFR flight into known instrument meteorological conditions resulting in spatial disorientation and loss of control of the airplane. Factors which contributed to the accident were the actions…NTSB ATL92FA102Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Greenville, NCFailure of the pilot to maintain a proper climb rate after takeoff after becoming spatially disoriented. Factors related to the accident were: the adverse weather conditions, the pilot's self-induced pressure to make the flight, and his lack of total…NTSB NYC91FA194Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-260 · Monongahela, PAThe failure of the pilot to achieve a proper touchdown on the runway due to diverted attention, pressure, and other psychological condition.