Fatal NTSB investigations: Piper PA-32R-301

33 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Piper PA-32R-301. 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

19802026
Fatal NTSB investigations: Piper PA-32R-301 per year, 1980–2026: 33 cases
19801
19841
19852
19871
19901
19932
19971
19981
19993
20002
20013
20032
20043
20051
20071
20101
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20241

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 ('7103218'))
  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 ERA24FA176Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Knoxville, TNThe pilot’s decision to depart into an area of instrument meteorological and icing conditions, which resulted in loss of airplane control and a subsequent in-flight breakup.Apr 12, 2024 · N9236J · DestroyedNTSB GAA23WA165Accident · 1 fatalClass 4 · ForeignPiper PA-32R-301 · Stella Maris, BahamasJun 9, 2023 · N9253M · DestroyedNTSB ERA23FA108Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Dayton, VAThe pilot’s controlled flight into terrain while descending over mountainous terrain at night.Jan 11, 2023 · N43156 · DestroyedNTSB ERA16FA001Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA32R · Westminster, SCThe pilot's loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.Oct 2, 2015 · N782TM · DestroyedNTSB CEN14FA042Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Kirksville, MOA loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident were the private pilot's impairment due to a sedating antihistamine and both pilots' fatigue.Nov 6, 2013 · N408DM · DestroyedNTSB CEN14FA014Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 32R-301 · Huntsville, ARThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s continued flight into an area of known rain with reduced visibility and his failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering the airplane after entering these conditions.Oct 21, 2013 · N888TP · DestroyedNTSB ANC12FA066Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Fairbanks, AKThe noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions likely leading to spatial disorientation, which resulted in a loss of airplane control and in-flight structural failure.Jul 19, 2012 · N432LT · DestroyedNTSB ERA10FA409Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Washington, GAThe manufacturer's inadequate quality control and improper manufacture of the fuel servo diaphragm assembly, which resulted in fatigue cracking of the hub stud and subsequent loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.Aug 10, 2010 · N220ST · Substantial damageNTSB NYC07FA226Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Whitfield, ALThe pilot’s intentional flight into known thunderstorms.Sep 13, 2007 · N109PA · DestroyedNTSB IAD05FA125Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · West Chester, PAThe pilot's improper decision to abort the landing after the airplane contacted the runway. A factor in the accident was the pilot's failure to ensure the landing gear was extended during the landing.Aug 22, 2005 · N9285R · DestroyedNTSB ATL04FA190Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Euharlee, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate control of the airplane, which resulted in the pilot exceeding the design limits of the airplane and subsequent in-flight separation.Sep 21, 2004 · N801SP · Substantial damageNTSB NYC04FA092Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Harlan, KYThe pilot's improper decision to continue VFR flight into IMC conditions and his failure to maintain terrain clearance, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Factors were night, snow and a low ceiling.Mar 22, 2004 · N8173U · DestroyedNTSB FTW04FA054Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Beaumont, TXThe flight instructor's failure to maintain clearance with a static line. Contributing factors were the low cloud ceiling weather conditions and night light conditions.Jan 3, 2004 · N396HP · DestroyedNTSB ATL04FA023Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Spencer, TNThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering resulting in an inadvertent stall and the subsequent collision with the ground.Oct 22, 2003 · N69190 · DestroyedNTSB MIA03FA122Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Carthage, MSThe failure of the non-instrument rated pilot to following the in-flight weather avoidance assistance instructions offered by the controller and his continued flight into known adverse weather condition (thunderstorm), resulting in overload failure of the…Jun 12, 2003 · N232HC · DestroyedNTSB CHI02FA034Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Spearville, KSthe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and his inadvertent flight into known adverse weather conditions. Factors relating to this accident were the pilot's limited ability to see at night, spatial disorientation, the dark night, and the fog.Nov 17, 2001 · N9224X · DestroyedNTSB ATL01FA105Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Byhalia, MSThe pilot's improper evaluation of weather conditions which lead to an inflight encounter with turbulent weather resulting in an in flight break up of the airframe, and subsequent uncontrolled descent into terrain. A factor was the pilot's drug impairment.Sep 8, 2001 · N8398Z · DestroyedNTSB IAD01FA070Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Greenwich, CTThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering in instrument meteorological conditions, due to spatial disorientation. Factors in the accident were the fog, and the pilot's use of a sedating medication.Jun 22, 2001 · N13VH · DestroyedNTSB NYC00FA248Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · South Kingstown, RIThe pilot's loss of control, and his subsequent overstress of the airplane after a vacuum system failure during flight in instrument meteorological conditions. Factors included the instrument meteorological conditions, a sheared coupling on the vacuum pump,…Sep 3, 2000 · N8230G · DestroyedNTSB IAD00FA076Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Kennebunkport, MEFracture of the #4 connecting rod for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a loss of engine power. A factor was the forced ocean ditching.Aug 18, 2000 · N411JL · Substantial damageNTSB NYC99MA178Accident · 3 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Vineyard Haven, MAThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a descent over water at night, which was a result of spatial disorientation. Factors in the accident were haze, and the dark night.Jul 17, 1999 · N9253N · DestroyedNTSB LAX99FA138Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Warner Springs, CAThe pilot disregarded his weather briefing and attempted flight into areas of forecast and reported icing and moderate to severe turbulence. The airplane encountered mountain wave activity resulting in an overload condition and in-flight separation of the…Apr 4, 1999 · N9254Q · DestroyedNTSB NYC99LA063Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 32R-301 · Dulles, VAThe FBO employee's diverted attention, resulting in an inadvertent encounter with a rotating propeller.Feb 21, 1999 · N3559U · No damageNTSB MIA99FA034Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Olive Branch, MSThe pilot's failure to follow IFR procedures when he descended below the published minimum descent altitude.Nov 15, 1998 · N83396 · DestroyedNTSB CHI97FA200Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · St. Paul, MNThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall. Related factors were the pilot's diverted attention and gusty wind conditions.Jul 2, 1997 · N83353 · Substantial damageNTSB BFO94FA021Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA32R-301 · Butler, PAThe pilot's inadvertent flight into IMC conditions and his failure to maintain proper altitude. The weather conditions were a factor.Nov 28, 1993 · N707JS · DestroyedNTSB NYC93FA080Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Lapeer, NYThe pilot's improper inflight decision to continue flight into known icing conditions. Factors which contributed to the accident were: the pilot's failure to obtain updated weather information prior to departure, the icing conditions, and the degraded…Apr 12, 1993 · N292SP · DestroyedNTSB NYC91LA029Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32-301R · Alton, NHThe total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the severity of the accident was the unsuitable terrain in which the forced landing was made.Nov 16, 1990 · N8473H · Substantial damageNTSB FTW87FA123Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Porter, OKAcft was observed in a rt bank when it experienced an inflt breakup. Both wings, vert stab and rudder, and the horz stab and trim tab separated prior to impact. Wx was dark night with scattered to broken cloud cover, but VFR. Although a wx rpt 33 NM northwest…May 23, 1987 · N81796 · DestroyedNTSB LAX86LA033Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301T · San Diego, CAThe flt departed in VFR conditions after a wx briefing which indicated that clear skies and unrestricted visibilty existed and were forecasted at the destination airport. On arrival the plt requested and received clearance for an instrument apch. When the flt…Nov 7, 1985 · N2512Y · DestroyedNTSB MIA85LA209Accident · 4 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Bahamas, BahamasThe acft failed to arrive at it's intended destination on a flt from nassau, Bahamas to opa locka arpt, miami, FL. The acft was reported missing by the miami fss. The U.S. Coast guard initiated a search on 07-12-85 at about 1831 EDT & search was suspended on…Jul 12, 1985 · N8341L · DestroyedNTSB BFO85FA002Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32R-301 · Salisbury, MDAfter contacting millville fss 4 times for wx info the acft departed lincoln park, NY, at 1858 EDT with destination listed on the IFR flt plan as easton, MD. En route the plt diverted to Salisbury, MD, due to wx. After being cleared forthe rwy 32 ILS the acft…Oct 25, 1984 · N81752 · DestroyedNTSB FTW80FA118Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-32 · Smithfield, TXSep 19, 1980 · N8194Y · Destroyed