NTSB investigations: Piper PA-28-161, CA
97 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Piper PA-28-161. 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
| 1966 | 1 |
|---|---|
| 1969 | 1 |
| 1978 | 4 |
| 1979 | 1 |
| 1980 | 6 |
| 1981 | 2 |
| 1982 | 2 |
| 1983 | 4 |
| 1984 | 3 |
| 1985 | 3 |
| 1986 | 4 |
| 1987 | 6 |
| 1988 | 4 |
| 1989 | 5 |
| 1990 | 5 |
| 1991 | 5 |
| 1992 | 3 |
| 1993 | 3 |
| 1994 | 3 |
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1997 | 2 |
| 1998 | 2 |
| 1999 | 2 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2026 | 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.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'CA' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA'
AND 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'))
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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'CA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
AND 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'))
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 WPR26LA269Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportPiper PA-28-161 · San Bernardino, CAOn July 18, 2026, about 1530 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, N8249B, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near San Bernardino, California. The pilot and pilot rated passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a…NTSB WPR20CA087Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA28 · Santa Barbara, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a parked airplane during taxi operations at night.NTSB WPR19LA003Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA28 · Grass Valley, CAA loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and the pilot's mismanagement of the available fuel.NTSB WPR17LA208Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-161 · El Cajon, CAA partial loss of engine power due to the formation of carburetor ice during descent for landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to apply carburetor heat.NTSB WPR17LA124Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA28 · Carpinteria, CAThe noninstrument-rated pilot's improper decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB GAA15CA276Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 28 · Van Nuys, CAThe pilot's failure to compensate for turbulence during the landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and runway excursion.NTSB WPR15FA256Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA28 · Santee, CAThe pilots' failure to maintain airplane control following a partial loss of engine power after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the partial loss of engine power due to a failure of the right magneto.NTSB WPR13CA426Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA28 - 161 · Lancaster, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll.NTSB WPR10CA372Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Garberville, CAThe pilot’s improper airspeed, misjudged approach, and failure to attain the proper touchdown point. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of familiarity with the airport.NTSB WPR10CA157Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · El Cajon, CAAn in-flight collision with a bird in the downwind leg of the airport's traffic pattern.NTSB SEA07LA170Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Redlands, CAThe restriction of the carburetor float as a result of a misadjusted retractor clip. A contributing factor was the fire.NTSB LAX07LA134Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Palo Alto, CAa loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.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.NTSB LAX06LA251Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Grass Valley, CAThe loss of available engine power due to vapor lock. A contributing factor was the high temperature.NTSB LAX06CA045Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Panamint Spring, CAthe pilot's improper in-flight selection of unsuitable terrain for landing.NTSB LAX06LA023Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Lodi, CAa loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the trees.NTSB 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.NTSB LAX04CA115Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Placerville, CAthe pilot's failure to attain a proper glide path during the final approach and delayed go-around, resulting in an undershoot of the runway. The inadequate supervision of the flight and flight instructor's delayed remedial action was also causal.NTSB LAX04LA027Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-161 · San Diego, CAthe pilot of the other airplane's inadvertent application of the rudder pedals rather than the brakes, which resulted in the collision with the Cessna 172R.NTSB LAX03LA280Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Sacramento, CAthe pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and the bystander's failure to maintain clearance with the rotating propeller.NTSB LAX03LA238Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Lomita, CAThe partial loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and the pilot's failure to use carburetor heat. Also causal was the pilot's failure to attain and maintain an adequate airspeed during the aborted landing, which resulted in a stall/mush.NTSB LAX03LA130Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Baker, CAthe separation of a propeller blade tip due to fatigue cracking that resulted from improper maintenance repair procedures.NTSB LAX02LA060Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Long Beach, CAThe student pilot's inadequate compensation for wind, and his failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the landing roll.NTSB LAX00LA330Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Palo Alto, CAThe failure of maintenance personnel to detect and correct loose attachment fasteners and fretting at the landing gear attachment during maintenance inspections.NTSB LAX00LA154Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Palo Alto, CAThe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during takeoff climb.NTSB 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.NTSB LAX99FA125Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Lytle Creek, CAthe pilot's inadvertent visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions resulting in impact with high terrain.NTSB LAX99LA032Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Santa Barbara, CAThe pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind condition and failure to maintain proper runway alignment during landing flare.NTSB LAX98LA172Accident · 4 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Half Moon Bay, CAThe non-instrument rated pilot's loss of aircraft control due to spatial disorientation in dark night conditions.NTSB LAX97LA135Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Little River, CAThe pilot's failure to properly judge the flare altitude.NTSB LAX97FAMS2Accident · 1 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Avalon, CAundetermined.NTSB LAX95LA233Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Carmel Valley, CAfuel starvation due to the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation in that he failed to position the fuel selector to a tank known to contain fuel.NTSB LAX94LA304Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Devore, CAwas the failure of the pilot to follow checklist and emergency procedures, which resulted in an improper decision to land on a dirt road within two miles of an airport.NTSB LAX94LA270Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · San Carlos, CAthe student pilot's attempt to exit the runway at an excessive taxi speed which resulted in his loss of control.NTSB LAX94FA243Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Banning, CAThe failure of both pilots to see and avoid each other. The haze was a factor.NTSB LAX93FA215Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Grass Valley, CAThe pilot prematurely raising the airplane's flaps at an airspeed insufficient to maintain flight which resulted in an inadvertent stall mush condition. A factor in this accident was the darkness of the night.NTSB LAX93LA152Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Vacaville, CAa loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s).NTSB LAX93LA127Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Bakersfield, CAThe overload failure of the right main landing gear strut attach bolts due to a hard landing. The hard landing was the result of the student misjudging the landing flare, and, the inadequate supervision of the flight by the flight instructor.NTSB LAX92LA323Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Ravendale, CAThe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. The short length of the runway was a factor in the accident.NTSB LAX92LA249Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · El Monte, CAThe student pilot's failure to maintain directional control and improper use of the brakes.NTSB LAX92FA102Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA28-161 · Mountain Pass, CAThe pilots failure to maintain the aircraft's airspeed above the stall speed (vs) that resulted in an inadvertent entry into a stall/spin.NTSB LAX91LA410Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · San Carlos, CAThe failure of the number 3 intake valve resulting in a total loss of engine power. A factor in this accident was the unsuitable terrain for landing the aircraft.NTSB LAX91FA401Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Placerville, CAThe pilot's attempted takeoff at a high density airport with the airplane exceeding its maximum gross takeoff weight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's use of illegal drugs and abuse of prescription drugs.NTSB LAX91LA267Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-161 · Auburn, CAThe pilot's use of an excessive airspeed for the final approach, and the failure of the pilot to initiate a go around when it became apparent that the aircraft would land long on the runway. A factor in the accident was the limited total experience of the…NTSB LAX91LA221Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · San Jose, CAFuel starvation due to the flight instructor's improper use of the fuel selector valve and his failure to properly supervise the conduct of the flight.NTSB LAX91FA065Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Glendale, CAThe pilot's inadvertent VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his improper inflight decision to turn to the left, which resulted in flight toward higher terrain. The terrain and weather conditions were related factors.NTSB LAX91LA042Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Livermore, CAInadvertent flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and her failure to maintain adequate altitude and/or clearance from mountainous terrain. The adverse weather and terrain conditions were related factors.NTSB 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.NTSB 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.NTSB LAX90LA073Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Coalinga, CAThe pilot's misjudgement of distance and altitude to the runway, while on final approach, which resulted in his failure to attain the proper touchdown point for landing. Factors related to the accident were: darkness, haze, and soft terrain in the area where…