NTSB investigations: Piper PA-28-161

28 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Piper PA-28-161, where the first occurrence was “In flight collision with terrain/water”. 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

19822026
NTSB investigations: Piper PA-28-161 per year, 1982–2026: 28 cases
19822
19831
19841
19851
19861
19871
19881
19891
19904
19923
19931
19942
19952
19961
19991
20011
20043
20061

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.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('7102803', '7102834')
      AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND o.aircrafts_position = x.position AND o.\"occurrenceNumber\" = 1 AND o.\"occurrenceCode\" = 230))
  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 LAX07FA060Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Big Pine, CAThe inadequate in-flight/planning decision of both pilots to fly up a box canyon at low altitude, and their failure to maintain clearance from the terrain.Dec 21, 2006 · N9141Y · Substantial damageNTSB LAX04LA260Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Bridgeport, CAthe pilot's failure to attain an adequate altitude to clear mountainous terrain during a high density altitude condition.Jul 11, 2004 · N6106H · Substantial damageNTSB CHI04LA173Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Waubun, MNThe pilot's failure to get the proper rest prior to the night cross country flight and the pilot's failure to maintain altitude. Contributing factors to the accident were fatigue as a result of inadequate sleep, conditions conducive to fatigue, and night.Jul 8, 2004 · N248ND · Substantial damageNTSB LAX04FA137Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Jean, NV!!This case was modified January 31, 2006!! the pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance with the rising terrain, while maneuvering at low altitude in a mountainous area.Feb 16, 2004 · N9199Z · DestroyedNTSB DEN01FA111Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Meeker, COthe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance as a result of his drug induced impairment. A factor was his exceeding the airplane's gross weight limits.May 29, 2001 · N5999V · DestroyedNTSB LAX99LA148Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Van Nuys, CAThe check pilot's inadequate supervision of the flight and his failure to ensure that an adequate altitude margin existed during the maneuver.Apr 15, 1999 · N8466F · Substantial damageNTSB CHI96LA319Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Pittsburg, KSthe pilot diverted his attention and failed to maintain sufficient altitude and clearance with the terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, and the pilot performing low altitude flight at night.Aug 29, 1996 · N47558 · Substantial damageNTSB SEA95LA157Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Lakeview, ORthe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain while his attention was directed to reading his map. The pilot's intentional low-altitude operation of the aircraft contributed to the accident.Jul 21, 1995 · N83125 · Substantial damageNTSB CHI95LA166Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Valparaiso, INThe pilot's improper execution of the ILS approach. Factors related to the accident were the fog and the pilot's lack of total flight time in actual instrument conditions.Jun 3, 1995 · N8447T · DestroyedNTSB CHI95FA012Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Winfield, ILCollision with the ground for an undetermined reason. The pilot's psychological condition was a probable factor.Oct 16, 1994 · N9089U · DestroyedNTSB BFO94LA036Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Newburyport, MAThe pilot not maintaining clearance from the snowbank during final approach. A factor in this accident was the proximity of the snowbank to the active runway.Jan 29, 1994 · N2496X · Substantial damageNTSB CHI93LA131Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Northwood, NDThe flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight.Apr 5, 1993 · N108ND · Substantial damageNTSB ANC92LA055Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Kenai, AKTerrain clearance was not maintained. Factors to the accident were: snow covered hilly terrain, and diverted attention.Mar 29, 1992 · N82757 · Substantial damageNTSB MIA92LA079Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Fernandina Bch, FLSpatial disorientation and failure of the pilot-in-command to set the altimeter to the field elevation prior to departure. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of total and recent experience.Feb 8, 1992 · N8346B · Substantial damageNTSB SEA92FA042Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Ogden, UTThe improper decision by the instructor pilot to perform maintenance in flight and his failure to maintain terrain clearance. Factors relating to the accident were the dark night light conditions, mountainous terrain in the area, and the instructor diverting…Feb 6, 1992 · N4370B · DestroyedNTSB NYC91LA047Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Easton, PAThe flight instructor allowed the airplane to get too low on final approach during the demonstration of a power off landing.Dec 13, 1990 · N9898K · Substantial damageNTSB NYC90FA135Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Greenville, MEFailure of the pilot to maintain the proper altitude, while searching for the destination airport at night. Factors related to the accident were: darkness, fog obscuring the destination airport lights, mountainous terrain, and the lack of visual perception at…Jun 19, 1990 · N44897 · DestroyedNTSB SEA90FA098Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Susanville, CAAn improper inflight decision on the part of the pilot when he misjudged the aircraft's climb in close proximity to rising terrain.Jun 8, 1990 · N47472 · DestroyedNTSB LAX90FA113Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA28-161 · Malibu, CAThe pilot's decision to turn into an area of known high terrain after inadvertently encountering instrument meteorological conditions.Mar 11, 1990 · N2951S · DestroyedNTSB FTW89FA065Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · New Orleans, LAThe pilot diverting his attention from flying the aircraft while complying with the departure control instructions, and allowing the aircraft to descend into the water.Mar 12, 1989 · N8369K · DestroyedNTSB LAX88FA113Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Rosamond, CADecision of the pilot to attempt multiple low level passes over a residence in an area of rising terrain. Contributing to the accident was the significant levels of methamphetamine and amphetamine found in both the pilot's blood and urine specimens. A factor…Feb 21, 1988 · N8321K · DestroyedNTSB NYC87FAMS2Accident · 2 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Nantucket, MAThe Piper PA-28-161 with a pilot and passenger onboard disappeared from the radar scope while being vectored to an ILS approach to rwy 24 at Nantucket, MA. The controller observed the aircraft in a southeasterly heading and asked the tower controller to…Aug 23, 1987 · N83232 · DestroyedNTSB NYC87FA038Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Glen Mawr, PADrg arrival, the acft was vectored to intercept the ILS rwy 27 localizer (LOC) bfr reaching the munci initial apch fix (iaf), which was 21.5 mi fm the rwy. The ATC controller (ctlr) told the plt to maint 4000' until on the LOC, then clrd him for the apch.…Nov 26, 1986 · N8130A · DestroyedNTSB LAX85LA103Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Beaumont, CAThe acft was on a personal VFR flt to santa barbara, CA, on a dark ovcst night. Marginal VFR conditions with lgt rain prevailed. Gnd witnesses rptd the acft was following the hwy at about 200 ft AGL prior to the accident. The plt rptd he inadvertently began…Jan 9, 1985 · N29493 · Substantial damageNTSB NYC84LA280Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Caldwell, NJThe acft hit the surface of the water during a low pass which was described by a witness as 10-30 ft AGL & done in a series of passes with 'wings wobbling' until the pass that damaged the gear & wing causing the plt & acft to depart the area. Upon returning…Aug 20, 1984 · N4314L · Substantial damageNTSB LAX84FA096Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Danville, CAThe acft collided with rising terrain at the 1600 ft level on a dark night. The plt was on a night cross-country and hadmade a radio call saying he was unsure of his position. He then reported his alt as 2000 ft. the buchanan tower gave him a heading to fly…Dec 8, 1983 · N2862C · DestroyedNTSB LAX83LVW02Accident · No injuriesFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Beatty, NVThe pilot landed on a 1700 long strip at the elevation of about 3500 ft MSL. He elected to takeoff to the north in calm wind conditions and avoid sun glare off the cover of his engine and on the windshield. He stated that soft field procedures were used in…Dec 19, 1982 · N8154X · Substantial damageNTSB LAX82FA294Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Corcoran, CAThe acft crashed approximately 25 minutes after takeoff. There were no witnesses to the accident. The crash site was a plowed & cultivated seed alfalfa farm land. Ground scars reveal that the acft struck the ground in a level flight attitude, all wheels…Aug 9, 1982 · N47489 · Destroyed