Fatal NTSB investigations: Piper PA-32-300

171 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Piper PA-32-300. 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

19682026
Fatal NTSB investigations: Piper PA-32-300 per year, 1968–2026: 171 cases
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Latest 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 ('7103212'))
  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.

NTSB WPR26FA189Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportPiper PA-32-300 · Empire, NVOn May 17, 2026, about 0738 PDT, a Piper PA-32-300, N8502N, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Empire, Nevada. The pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal…May 17, 2026 · N8502N · Substantial damageNTSB WPR25LA080Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Round Mountain, NVImpact with mountainous terrain for reasons that could not be determined due to a lack of available evidence.Jan 2, 2025 · N4151R · Substantial damageNTSB ERA24FA120Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA32 · Jackson, OHThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to depart under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an inflight collision with terrain while maneuvering.Feb 24, 2024 · N8963N · DestroyedNTSB ERA24FA026Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Marion, OHA descent and impact with terrain for undetermined reasons.Oct 31, 2023 · N44601 · DestroyedNTSB ANC23FA045Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Old Harbor, AKThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s delayed decision to turn away from the terrain.Jul 2, 2023 · N1132Q · Substantial damageNTSB ERA23FA025Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Brentwood, TNA total loss of engine power due to the catastrophic failure of the crankshaft resulting from the improper installation of the crankshaft for this application.Oct 18, 2022 · N600JG · DestroyedNTSB ERA22FA418Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA32 · Afton, VAA catastrophic engine failure due to oil starvation, which resulted in a total loss of engine power at night over mountainous terrain.Sep 15, 2022 · N2104J · DestroyedNTSB CEN22FA299Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Mount Pleasant, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain the proper glidepath while on final approach in night visual conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees.Jul 4, 2022 · N1403X · DestroyedNTSB WPR19FA256Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA32 · La Grande, ORThe pilot’s decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of control.Sep 8, 2019 · N6300Z · DestroyedNTSB ERA18FA138Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA32 · West Milford, NJAn in-flight fire and total loss of engine power after takeoff due to a loose fuel line. Contributing to the accident was the installation of an unapproved fuel line by unknown personnel.May 2, 2018 · N4153R · DestroyedNTSB ERA18FA016Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 32 · Morrison, TNThe pilots' loss of control during a missed approach in night instrument meteorological conditions as a result of spatial disorientation.Nov 8, 2017 · N47831 · DestroyedNTSB ERA16FA169Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA32 · Boone, NCThe pilot's delayed decision to conduct a go-around following an unstabilized landing approach and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from trees near the end of the runway.Apr 25, 2016 · N43576 · DestroyedNTSB CEN15FA305Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 32-300 · Brazoria, TXThe student pilot's failure to arrest the descent in a timely manner and the flight instructor's failure to safely intervene in the routine training maneuver for reasons that could not be determined based on the information available.Jul 14, 2015 · N555PK · DestroyedNTSB CEN15FA268Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 32 · Cuba, MOThe pilot's continued flight into thunderstorm activity, which resulted in his loss of airplane control, the exceedance of the airplane's design limits, and its subsequent in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's reliance on onboard…Jun 14, 2015 · N2966X · DestroyedNTSB CEN14FA434Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 32-300 · Ardmore, OKThe partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because thermal damage to the engine prevented a complete examination.Aug 16, 2014 · N4125W · Substantial damageNTSB WPR14LA007Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA32 - 300 · Tinian IslandThe pilot’s failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering at low altitude in dark night conditions.Oct 6, 2013 · N4089W · DestroyedNTSB WPR13LA045Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32 · ObyanA partial loss of engine power shortly after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation and the pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during…Nov 18, 2012 · N4267R · Substantial damageNTSB ERA13FA055Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Jackson, MSThe pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in his failure to note the water in the fuel tank due to condensation, which subsequently shut down the engine in flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to…Nov 13, 2012 · N717RL · Substantial damageNTSB WPR12FA255Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Mountain Home, IDThe noninstrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into mountainous terrain.Jun 9, 2012 · N8990N · Substantial damageNTSB ERA10WA116Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-32-300 · Bimini, Bahamas, BahamasOn January 17, 2010, at approximately 1545 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-32-300, N4219R, crashed approximately 500 yards northwest of the Bimini Bay Resort, North Bimini, Bahamas. The flight departed Lynden Pindling International Airport, Nassau, Bahamas…Jan 17, 2010 · N4219R · DestroyedNTSB WPR10FA107Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Honolulu, HIThe pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions at an altitude insufficient to ensure adequate terrain clearance. Contributing to the accident was the air traffic controller's failure to issue a safety alert after observing the…Jan 10, 2010 · N8934N · Substantial damageNTSB WPR09FA158Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Corona, CAThe pilot did not maintain airplane control during climb due to spatial disorientation while flying in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent instrument flying experience.Mar 20, 2009 · N55962 · Substantial damageNTSB NYC08FA319Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32 · Atlanta, GAA loss of aircraft control for undetermined reasons.Sep 23, 2008 · N3029Y · Substantial damageNTSB LAX08FA203Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Mount Charleston, NVThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain and his selection of a cruise altitude that provided inadequate terrain clearance. Contributing to the accident were the high density altitude and the rapidly rising terrain.Jun 28, 2008 · N4063W · DestroyedNTSB CHI07LA051Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Romeo, MIThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and proper rate of descent during the VOR approach. Factors associated with the accident were the low cloud conditions and moderate to heavy rain.Dec 31, 2006 · N888PR · Substantial damageNTSB DFW07FA020Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Danville, ARFailure of the number 5 cylinder which resulted in oil starvation and the subsequent loss of engine power, and the pilot's inability to see the transmission line during the forced landing. Factors Contributing to the accident were the dark night and the…Nov 5, 2006 · N15852 · DestroyedNTSB CHI06FA067Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Pierre, SDThe loss of engine power during takeoff-initial climb due to the pilot's failure to correctly position the fuel selector, which resulted in fuel starvation and a forced landing.Jan 14, 2006 · N8745E · Substantial damageNTSB MIA06FA024Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Mims, FLThe loss of engine power due to improper installation of the #2 cylinder by maintenance personnel, which resulted in the separation of the cylinder as a result of fatigue cracking of the cylinder to crankcase fasteners. A contributing factor was the lack of…Nov 23, 2005 · N666DE · Substantial damageNTSB CHI05FA260Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Wabash, INThe pilot's spatial disorientation that resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Factors to the accident were the pilot's lack of recent night experience and the hazy night conditions.Sep 11, 2005 · N4032R · DestroyedNTSB FTW04FA208Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Burnet, TXThe pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather, VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation. A contributing factor was the cloudy weather.Aug 7, 2004 · N927RP · DestroyedNTSB CHI04FA205Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Point Lookout, MOThe pilot's failure attain adequate flying speed and his delay in aborting the takeoff which resulted in premature liftoff and an overrun of the runway. Contributing factors were the descending embankment, trees and ravine.Aug 2, 2004 · N4230R · DestroyedNTSB FTW04FA172Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Hot Springs, ARThe pilot's failure to fly a stabilized, published instrument approach procedure, which resulted in a collision with mountainous terrain. Factors were the clouds and the air traffic controllers' failure to provide known information that may have assisted the…Jul 2, 2004 · N4123R · Substantial damageNTSB NYC04FA136Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Leominster, MAThe pilot's failure to follow instrument flight procedures resulting in a collision with trees. A factor related to the accident was the low cloud ceiling, and dark night.Jun 2, 2004 · N21072 · DestroyedNTSB MIA04FAMS1Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Missing, BahamasUndetermined.Nov 13, 2003 · N8224C · DestroyedNTSB IAD03FA070Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Factoryville, PAThe pilot's improper in-flight decision to descend below the published minimum descent altitude while executing a non-precision approach in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in collision with trees. A factor was the fog.Aug 8, 2003 · N6373C · DestroyedNTSB ATL03FA089Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Calhoun, GAThe pilot's failure to obtain a preflight weather briefing, which would have indicated that MVFR to IFR conditions prevailed over the route with embedded thunderstorms and rain, and his decision to continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological…May 5, 2003 · N32038 · DestroyedNTSB FTW03FA120Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Broken Arrow, OKFailure of the engine due to the blow-by condition in the number six cylinder for undetermined reasons, which resulted in oil starvation and eventual failure of the associated connecting rod end cap. Also causal was the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed…Mar 31, 2003 · N70NZ · DestroyedNTSB NYC03FA061Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Monterey, MAThe pilot's improper decision to attempt a visual flight rules (VFR) flight in marginal VFR weather conditions over mountainous terrain, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees. Factors in this accident were clouds and night light conditions.Mar 3, 2003 · N4072R · Substantial damageNTSB ATL03FA049Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Sylvania, GAThe pilot's decision to conduct VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. Related factors were the guy wire and the fog.Feb 26, 2003 · N54406 · DestroyedNTSB DEN03FA028Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Steamboat Spgs, COthe pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision making resulting in insufficient altitude to fly over the mountain, and the subsequent inadvertent stall/mush into tree covered mountainous terrain. Contributing factors were the tail wind and high density…Dec 29, 2002 · N7989C · DestroyedNTSB ATL03FA025Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Macon, GAThe loss of engine power due to oil starvation.Dec 21, 2002 · N47420 · DestroyedNTSB ATL02FA057Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Hamilton, GAThe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.Feb 28, 2002 · N33584 · Substantial damageNTSB ATL02FA043Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Atlanta, GAThe pilot experienced spatial disorientation that resulted in the loss of control.Feb 6, 2002 · N4105W · DestroyedNTSB ANC02FA010Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32 · Haines, AKThe pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and subsequent collision with trees while in cruise flight. Factors in the accident were weather conditions consisting of freezing rain, mist, and low ceilings.Jan 15, 2002 · N30004 · Substantial damageNTSB ANC01FA093Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Haines, AKThe pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather conditions, and his poor in-flight decision making. Factors associated with the accident were clouds and mountainous terrain. A finding is the pilot's use of FAA prohibited drugs.Jul 30, 2001 · N39586 · DestroyedNTSB MIA01FA126Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Fort Lauderdale, FLThe pilot's exceeding the forward center of gravity (CG) ) limits at the time of engine start, the inability of the pilot to control the airplane due to the exceeded CG limits, the failure of the pilot to abort the takeoff with sufficient runway remaining,…Apr 19, 2001 · N4103R · DestroyedNTSB MIA01GA070Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Marathon, FLThe pilot-in-command's lack of recent experience in instrument flight resulting in the pilot becoming spatially disoriented, and subsequent in-flight collision with water while descending.Feb 2, 2001 · N99WD · DestroyedNTSB NYC01FA001Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Seven Springs, PAThe pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.Oct 1, 2000 · N3039Y · Substantial damageNTSB NYC00FA247Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Apple Creek, OHThe pilot's premature liftoff and failure to attain a proper climb rate. Factors related to the accident were the over-gross weight conditions, and the low cloud ceilings.Sep 2, 2000 · N2102X · DestroyedNTSB SEA00FA080Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-300 · Fort Smith, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain. Factors include low ceilings, snow, rain, and rising, mountainous/hilly terrain.Apr 29, 2000 · N216BC · Substantial damage