Skip to content

Fatal NTSB investigations: Piper PA-34-200

38 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Piper PA-34-200. 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.

Defining event

Finding

Phase of flight

Aircraft model

Cases per year

19732026

Where

Latest cases

Query with SQL

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 ('7103405')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

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 ('7103405'))
  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 ('7103405'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

Run 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 ERA20LA177Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA34 · Pembroke Pines, FLA total loss of power in the right engine for reasons that could not be determined based on available information. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s decision to turn 180° before securing the right engine, which resulted in a loss of…May 12, 2020 · N887SP · Destroyed NTSB CEN19FA238Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA34 · Gainesville, TXThe pilots’ failure to maintain airspeed while on final approach with asymmetric engine power, which resulted in a loss of control.Jul 28, 2019 · N456AG · Destroyed NTSB ERA18FA194Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA34 · Miami, FLThe failure of both pilots in both airplanes to see and avoid the other airplane as they converged nearly head-on at the same altitude.Jul 17, 2018 · N16281 · 2 aircraft · Destroyed NTSB ERA17FA011Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 34-200 · East Hartford, CTThe NTSB did not determine the probable cause of this event and does not plan to issue a report or open a public docket. The investigation of this event is being conducted under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.Oct 11, 2016 · N15294 · Destroyed NTSB LAX01FA004Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · San Dimas, CAThe pilots becoming lost and disoriented during an improperly conducted IFR approach, and subsequent missed approach, that led to a collision with rising mountainous terrain. Also causal was the local controller canceling the IFR approach when the pilot…Oct 7, 2000 · N222ES · Destroyed NTSB NYC99FA216Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Plymouth, MAThe flight instructor's inadequate remedial action, and the pilot-under-instruction's panic and subsequent interference with the flight controls.Aug 31, 1999 · N98FM · Destroyed NTSB ATL99FA066Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Tallahassee, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain flying speed during initial climb which resulted in a stall and uncontrolled collision with terrain.Apr 1, 1999 · N15478 · Destroyed NTSB FTW98FA117Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Graford, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the ground. Factors were the dark night, the rising terrain, and the ground fog obscuring the ground.Feb 4, 1998 · N15566 · Destroyed NTSB LAX97FA032Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Halawa, HIthe pilot's inadvertent VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain sufficient clearance and/or altitude from mountainous terrain. Factors related to the accident were: darkness, adverse weather conditions, and…Nov 2, 1996 · N1701K · Destroyed NTSB ATL95FA162Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Double Springs, ALfailure of the pilot to follow emergency procedures for loss of engine power, and his failure to maintain control of the airplane. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation and improper fuel consumption…Aug 23, 1995 · N15866 · Destroyed NTSB FTW94FA226Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Gulf Of MexicoThe pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather. Factors were the thunderstorms and the pilot's disreqard for the forecasted adverse weather.Jul 10, 1994 · N55120 · Destroyed NTSB LAX93FA153Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Carpenteria, CAUndetermined.Mar 17, 1993 · N55334 · Destroyed NTSB BFO89FA004Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Ocean City, MDThe pilot failed to maintain adequate clearance above the terrain. Contributing factors are inattention to altitude and dark night conditions over illusionary producing featureless water.Oct 29, 1988 · N666RW · Destroyed NTSB SEA84FA123Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · North Bend, ORThe acft was cleared for an ILS rwy 4 apch while 9 miles north of oth (North Bend) VOR. Instructions were given to cross oth VOR at or above 3700 ft MSL. 14 min later, the plt reported to North Bend fss 'my needle doesn't seem to be moving on my localizer…Jun 4, 1984 · N1067U · Destroyed NTSB NYC84FA032Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech K35 · Stockholm, NJAt 1455 EST, a Beech K35 (bonanza), N106Q, & a Piper PA-34-200, N56670, collided while the acft were flying over the vicinity of the sparta VORTAC. The bonanza plt was on a local flt while the PA-34 was on multi-eng training flt. The student in the PA-34…Nov 18, 1983 · N106Q · 2 aircraft · Destroyed NTSB FTW84LAMS1Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Gulf Of MexicoThe acft disappeared on a flt over a part of the Gulf Of Mexico south of corpus christi in an area of thunderstorm activity. The storms were densely packed and it was considered unlikely that VFR flt could be conducted in the area. Theaccident acft was in…Oct 9, 1983 · N4437T · Destroyed NTSB FTW83FA149Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Kingston, OKThe acft rolled right after a premature liftoff due to a dip in the rwy. The acft continued to roll right until it impacted a 6 degree slope in a 100 degree nose down attitude. Investigation revealed that the right engine had suffered a power loss due to a…Mar 12, 1983 · N43480 · Destroyed NTSB DEN81FA054Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-34 · Price, UTJul 28, 1981 · N15817 · Destroyed NTSB LAX81FA029Accident · 5 fatalClosedPiper PA-34 · El Cajon, CAJan 1, 1981 · N56936 · Destroyed NTSB ATL80FA047Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-34 · Enterprise, MSMay 16, 1980 · N812DM · Destroyed NTSB DEN79FA056Accident · 6 fatalClosedPiper PA-34 · Wendover, UTAug 17, 1979 · N32418 · Destroyed NTSB MIA79FA064Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-34 · Davie, FLApr 2, 1979 · N1495T · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage NTSB IAD79FA023Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-34 · Blountville, TNDec 16, 1978 · N3024R · Destroyed NTSB MIA79FA007Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-34 · Titusville, FLOct 30, 1978 · N1058U · Destroyed NTSB IAD78FA088Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-34 · Chesterfield, VAAug 2, 1978 · N56122 · Destroyed NTSB OAK78FA037Accident · 5 fatalClosedPiper PA-34 · Ysmite Nat Pk, CAJul 4, 1978 · N56954 · Destroyed NTSB NYC77FA019Accident · 5 fatalClosedPiper PA-34 · Forked River, NJDec 4, 1976 · N15698 · Destroyed NTSB IAD77FA005Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-34 · Busick, NCOct 9, 1976 · N15025 · Destroyed NTSB SEA76AS079Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-34 · Kent, WASep 25, 1976 · N15867 · Destroyed NTSB LAX76AL093Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-34 · Phoenix, AZSep 6, 1976 · N15075 · Destroyed NTSB MKC76AK070Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-34 · Greensburg, KSJul 27, 1976 · N56712 · Substantial damage NTSB ANC76AA088Accident · 6 fatalClosedPiper PA-34 · Petersburg, AKMay 18, 1976 · N55951 · Destroyed NTSB OAK76AP015Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-34 · Kirkwood, CAOct 6, 1975 · N55105 · Destroyed NTSB LAX74AL083Accident · 4 fatalClosedPiper PA-34 · Denver, COJun 21, 1974 · N15774 · 2 aircraft · Destroyed NTSB FTW74AF079Accident · 3 fatalClosedPiper PA-34 · Hockey, TXMay 3, 1974 · N5286T · Destroyed NTSB DEN74AD040Accident · 1 fatalClosedPiper PA-34 · Taos, NMFeb 17, 1974 · N4980T · Destroyed NTSB DEN74AD020Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-34 · Levan, UTNov 2, 1973 · N56025 · Destroyed NTSB LAX74AL003Accident · 5 fatalClosedPiper PA-34 · Goleta, CAJul 9, 1973 · N4895T · Destroyed