NTSB investigations: Piper PA-28-181, AZ
55 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Piper PA-28-181. 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
| 1972 | 2 |
|---|---|
| 1977 | 1 |
| 1978 | 1 |
| 1979 | 1 |
| 1981 | 1 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1999 | 2 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 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\" = 'AZ' 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 ('7102807', '7102832'))
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" = 'AZ' 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 ('7102807', '7102832'))
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 WPR26LA092Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Scottsdale, AZThe student pilot’s failure to properly adjust their seat and failure to set the parking brake before engine start, which resulted in a collision with parked vehicles.NTSB WPR26LA045Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportPiper PA-28-181 · Mesa, AZOn November 17, 2025, about 0830 mountain standard time, a Piper PA 28-181, N4402N, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Mesa, Arizona. The flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. The airplane was operated as a…NTSB WPR24LA306Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Yuma, AZThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain clearance from a fence during taxi operations.NTSB WPR24LA076Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Colorado City, AZThe loss of engine power due to the failure of the No. 2 piston pin plug, which resulted in oil starvation and subsequent failure of the No. 3 connecting rod. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate engine inspections by maintenance personnel.NTSB WPR23LA238Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Mesa, AZThe student pilot’s improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB WPR23LA164Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Mesa, AZThe student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.NTSB WPR23LA071Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA28 · San Manual, AZThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing which, resulted in a runway excursion.NTSB WPR22FA001Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R22 · Chandler, AZThe failure of the pilots onboard the airplane to see and avoid the helicopter while maneuvering in the traffic pattern, which resulted in a midair collision.NTSB WPR20CA088Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Mesa, AZThe student pilot's failure to maintain directional control and the flight instructor's inadequate remediation during a short-field takeoff, which resulted in impact with a parked airplane.NTSB WPR20CA052Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA28 · Chandler, AZThe student pilot's loss of directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a collision with a taxiway sign.NTSB WPR19LA259Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA28 · Marana, AZExcessive fuel pressure and temperature throughout the fuel system due to heat soaking, which resulted in an engine fire during engine start.NTSB GAA19CA212Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA28 · Wickenburg, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain lateral control during landing and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the subsequent aborted landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB WPR19TA031Accident · No injuriesClass 3Final reportPiper PA28 · Chandler, AZThe student pilot’s failure to maintain a safe distance from the other airplane while taxiing, resulting in a ground collision.NTSB WPR18LA248Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA28 · Tat Momoli, AZA total loss of engine power due to a fatigue crack in the connecting rod bushing end.NTSB GAA18CA274Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA28 · Wickenburg, AZThe student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in tailwind conditions.NTSB GAA18CA234Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA28 · Wickenburg, AZThe student pilot’s failure to relinquish flight controls and premature flap reduction during approach to land.NTSB GAA18CA208Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 28 · Tucson, AZThe student pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a stationary pole while parking.NTSB GAA18CA193Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA28 · Phoenix, AZThe student pilot’s improper selection of the flap setting during a go-around, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.NTSB GAA17CA487Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA28 · Chandler, AZThe student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.NTSB GAA17CA189Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 28 · Gila Bend, AZThe flight instructor’s failure to review the notices to airmen related to the airport, which resulted in his landing on a closed runway and the airplane striking runway closed markers.NTSB GAA17CA166Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA28 · Phoenix, AZThe flight instructor’s incorrect control inputs while taking off with a known quartering tailwind, which resulted in a loss of directional control and runway excursion.NTSB GAA16CA237Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA28 · Wickenburg, AZThe pilot's failure to monitor the parked vehicle, which resulted in a ground collision and substantial damage to the left wing.NTSB GAA15CA110Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 28-181 · Wickenburg, AZThe pilot's failure to monitor the airplane's wing clearance during taxi, which resulted in a collision with a parked airplane.NTSB WPR14FA111Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-181 · Phoenix, AZThe student pilot’s inadvertent positioning of the fuel selector in an intermediate position, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.NTSB WPR13FA254Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Anthem, AZThe failure of the pilots in both aircraft to maintain adequate visual lookout in a known training area where multiple aircraft frequently operated, which resulted in a midair collision.NTSB WPR12FA420Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Strawberry, AZThe flight instructor's and the evaluator's failure to divert at an appropriate time during cruise flight, which resulted in the airplane's inability to maintain a sufficient altitude to clear rising terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight…NTSB WPR12CA380Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Wickenburg, AZThe flight instructor’s delayed response in correcting the student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB WPR12LA076Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA28 · Phoenix, AZThe pilot’s inability to maintain directional control during the landing roll for reasons that could not be determined because impact damage precluded determination of the preaccident functionality of the braking and steering systems.NTSB WPR11FA145Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Phoenix, AZThe pilot and flight instructor's failure to adequately monitor the flight task and environment while maneuvering to maintain sufficient altitude with rising terrain in dark night conditions and the flight instructor's improper decision to practice in an area…NTSB WPR11CA085Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Wickenburg, AZThe student pilot's failure to maintain clearance between the airplane's right wing and the pole.NTSB WPR11CA084Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Phoenix, AZThe student pilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstacles while taxiing.NTSB WPR10CA172Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Phoenix, AZThe flight instructor's failure to attain and maintain adequate airspeed while demonstrating a soft-field takeoff.NTSB WPR10FA120Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Phoenix, AZThe student pilot’s decision to take off in marginal visual flight rules conditions, which resulted in an encounter with low clouds, and the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires while maneuvering in the traffic pattern for landing.NTSB WPR09CA410Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA28 · Glendale, AZThe student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.NTSB WPR09CA406Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Mesa, AZThe student pilot’s inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control during landing.NTSB LAX08CA199Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Mesa, AZThe student pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing and failure to maintain directional control.NTSB LAX08CA076Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Phoenix, AZThe pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the crosswind condition.NTSB SEA08LA015Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Phoenix, AZThe failure of the solo student pilot operating the other airplane to maintain clearance while taxiing for takeoff.NTSB LAX04CA093Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Scottsdale, AZfailure of the pilot to maintain directional control on the takeoff roll. A factor in the accident was the pilot's failure to retract the flaps.NTSB LAX03LA228Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Phoenix, AZThe disengagement of the left control wheel from the control column, which was due to the attaching screw backing out of the nut plate. Also causal was the manufacturer's inadequate design of the installation and the improper length of the screw.NTSB LAX03LA144Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Bullhead City, AZThe pilot's misjudgment of distance resulting in the inadequate clearance between the wing tip and the fuel truck.NTSB LAX02LA126Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Goodyear, AZThe student pilot's misjudgment of clearance and his failure to adhere to the flight school's policy/procedures for taxiing around obstructions.NTSB LAX01LA214Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Sedona, AZthe induction manifold fire resulting from an engine backfire during engine start. The reason for the engine backfire was not determined.NTSB LAX01LA122Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Gila Bend, AZFailure of the CFI to properly supervise the flight and the failure of the dual studen to maintain flying airspeed. A contributing factor was the wind shear encountered.NTSB LAX00LA341Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · Prescott, AZAn improper engine installation by other maintenance personnel that resulted in a fuel leak at the main fuel line fitting to the carburetor and subsequent fuel exhaustion during cruise flight.NTSB LAX99LA127Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Scottsdale, AZThe failure of the local and ground controller to coordinate the clearances of both aircraft and to maintain separation of the traffic in the taxiway movement area.NTSB LAX99LA073Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Arlington, AZThe flight instructor's inadequate supervision of his student and his failure to initiate timely remedial action. Contributing factors were the student's failure to maintain the proper glidepath under the existing downdraft condition, the flight instructor's…NTSB LAX91FA106Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Fredonia, AZThe pilot's inattention to the airspeed and subsequent loss of aircraft control after attempting VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to recognize his limitations of his aircraft.NTSB LAX83FUJ13Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportPiper PA-28R-180 · Flagstaff, AZThe plt reported he had a problem with the spark plugs loading up before he departed sacramento, CA on a x-country & ther magneto (mag) had been overhauled before he departed. He stated the eng ran well 'except for brief plug load (one cyl)cleared by leaning…NTSB LAX81FA061Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-28 · Tucson, AZ