NTSB investigations: Piper PA-28-181, CA
107 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
| 1976 | 1 |
|---|---|
| 1977 | 3 |
| 1978 | 5 |
| 1979 | 3 |
| 1980 | 4 |
| 1981 | 3 |
| 1982 | 3 |
| 1983 | 5 |
| 1984 | 1 |
| 1985 | 6 |
| 1986 | 6 |
| 1987 | 6 |
| 1988 | 4 |
| 1989 | 4 |
| 1990 | 2 |
| 1991 | 5 |
| 1992 | 3 |
| 1993 | 3 |
| 1994 | 2 |
| 1995 | 2 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 1998 | 5 |
| 1999 | 3 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2025 | 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 ('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" = '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 ('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 WPR25LA261Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportPiper PA-28-181 · San Diego, CAOn August 16, 2025, about 1737 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181, N8150J, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near San Diego, California. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code…NTSB WPR22LA292Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · San Diego, CAThe student pilot’s unstable approach and inadequate flare which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.NTSB WPR20LA306Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Upland, CAThe failure of the right landing gear due to fatigue cracking.NTSB GAA18CA579Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA28 · Porterville, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.NTSB WPR17FA025Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-181 · Upland, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain in dark night conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB GAA17CA077Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCurtiss Wright Travel AIR 4000 · San Diego, CAThe other pilot’s failure to see and avoid the airplane stopped ahead of him during taxi.NTSB WPR12CA083Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Santa Barbara, CAThe pilot did not maintain directional control during takeoff.NTSB WPR10CA267Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Palo Alto, CAA total loss of engine power on final approach due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's inadequate fuel management.NTSB WPR10LA105Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Apple Valley, CAThe pilot's loss of directional control during the landing roll and the check airman’s delayed remedial response.NTSB WPR09LA164Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Firebaugh, CAA total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's inadequate fuel planning and monitoring.NTSB LAX07FA219Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · El Cajon, CAthe pilot's inadequate in-flight decision to attempt low altitude flight operations into a box canyon in mountainous terrain, and his failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering to reverse direction, which led to an accelerated stall and spin.NTSB LAX06CA223Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA28-181 · Dorris, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during a go-around, which resulted in a stall/mush. A contributing factor was the high density altitude.NTSB LAX06CA159Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Columbia, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.NTSB LAX06CA272Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Coalinga, CAthe pilot's misjudged landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing, and his inadequate recovery technique that led to a hard landing.NTSB LAX05CA301Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 28-181 · Petaluma, CAa loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.NTSB LAX05LA183Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Avalon, CAfuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate preflight and failure to refuel the airplane prior to takeoff.NTSB LAX05CA182Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Oxnard, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance from the building. The pilot's diverted attention was a factor.NTSB LAX05FA106Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Yucaipa, CAThe failure of the private pilot and the flight instructor to maintain adequate terrain clearance while flying in unfamiliar mountainous terrain in dark night conditions.NTSB LAX05CA043Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Santa Monica, CAthe certified flight instructor's inadequate supervision, inadequate compensation for the tailwind condition, and delayed remedial action, which resulted in a runway overrun and collision with a ditch.NTSB LAX04CA236Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Dunsmuir, CAthe pilot's misjudgment of speed and distance, which resulted in an overrun of the runway. The pilot's failure to use flaps and his landing at an airport with a runway shorter than he expected is a contributing factor.NTSB LAX04LA112Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Palmdale, CAloss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB LAX04CA088Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA 28-181 · Groveland, CAthe pilot's inadequate visual lookout, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. Factors to the accident were the parked vehicle, and the pilot's diverted attention.NTSB LAX03LA127Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Santa Maria, CAThe pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision resulting in fuel exhaustion which resulted in a total loss of engine power during cruise flight, and a subsequent on-ground collision with a pole and a fence during the ensuing emergency landing.NTSB LAX01FA308Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Lytle Creek, CAThe pilot's inadequate decision to fly into an area of rising terrain.NTSB LAX01LA094Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · San Diego, CAFuel starvation due to the pilot inadvertently shutting off its supply on approach for landing.NTSB LAX00LA067Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Palo Alto, CAThe failure of the pilot to properly calculate fuel consumption rate, and his improper in-flight planning to continue the flight to the destination airport instead of landing at a closer alternate airport. A factor was the pilot's inadequate aircraft control…NTSB LAX99LA268Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Sacramento, CAFuel exhaustion due to the pilot's failure to ensure that sufficient fuel was on board to complete the flight, and, the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight.NTSB LAX99LA234Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · San Luis Obispo, CAA loss of engine power due to contamination of the induction system and the carburetor throat. Factors in the accident were a prior undetected carburetor fire, which caused a deterioration in the air duct material.NTSB LAX99FA053Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Santa Clarita, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft. Factors were the night weather conditions and the lack of total and recent instrument flight time.NTSB LAX99LA011Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Shelter Cove, CAThe pilot's excessive airspeed, failure to attain the proper touchdown point, and the delayed decision to initiate a go-around.NTSB LAX98LA284Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Oroville, CAthe pilot's inaccurate preflight and in-flight fuel consumption calculations, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. The pilot's failure to obtain the proper engine power setting charts to use in fuel consumption calculations was also causal.NTSB LAX98FA188Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Bangor, CAThe pilot's attempted flight into instrument meteorological conditions, loss of spatial orientation, and the resultant loss of airplane control. Contributing factors were his improper preflight and in-flight decisions, overconfidence in his personal ability,…NTSB LAX98LA186Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · El Cajon, CAThe certified flight instructor's inadequate preflight which led to fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power. A related factor was the unsuitable terrain.NTSB LAX97LA013Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · San Diego, CAthe student pilot's impairment of judgment and performance due to alcohol, his subsequent flight into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain clearance from obstructions (power lines). Factors related to the accident were: darkness, low…NTSB LAX96FA340Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Caliente, CAimproper in-flight planning/decision by the flight instructor (CFI) by allowing the airplane to flying into a box canyon area, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and collision with wooded terrain. The CFI's…NTSB LAX96FA108Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Ramona, CAinadequate visual lookout by the pilots of both airplanes, which resulted in their failure to see and avoid each other.NTSB LAX96TA046Accident · No injuriesFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Edwards, CAthe pilot's failure to completely release the parking brakes prior to taxi, which produced a brake over temperature condition and brake fire.NTSB LAX95LA228Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Palm Springs, CAthe failure of the pilot to maintain clearance from a fence post while taxiing.NTSB LAX95LA018Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Rialto, CAthe flight instructor's loss of airplane control during the landing flare as a result of his inadequate supervision of the flight and delayed corrective action over his presolo student's control inputs.NTSB LAX94FA272Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · So. Lake Tahoe, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during initial climb under high-density altitude weather conditions and a resultant inadvertent stall/spin. Factors which contributed to the accident were the pilot's overconfidence in his personal ability,…NTSB LAX94LA077Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · San Diego, CAThe pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing wind conditions and his failure to maintain a proper glidepath.NTSB LAX93LA312Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Fresno, CAThe pilot's inadequate flare and his improper recovery from the resulting bounced landing. Factors related to this accident were the alternator failure and the night condition.NTSB LAX93LA278Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Columbia, CAa loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB LAX93FAMS2Accident · 4 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Missing Acft, CAUndetermined.NTSB LAX93LA061Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28 · Novato, CAFailed to maintain directional control and an inadequate visual lookout. Contributing to this accident were the inoperative runway lights.NTSB LAX92FA204Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Cucamonga, CAThe pilot's decision to continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors in the accident were: the pilot's failure to obtain a weather briefing, the adverse weather conditions, his physical impairment due to drugs, and the mountainous…NTSB LAX91FA399Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Cupertino, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain the proper altitude, his improper inflight decision to attempt flight below the base of an overcast layer of clouds toward rising mountainous terrain and the flight's inadvertent entry into instrument meteorological conditions.…NTSB LAX91FA333Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28-181 · Sonora, CAFailure of the flight instructor/pilot-in-command to adequately supervise the flight and to maintain adequate airspeed by exceeding the climb performance of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot-in-command's inadequate planning and his…NTSB LAX91LA272Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Rio Vista, CAFuel exhaustion due to the pilots improper fuel consumption calculations and inadequate preflight planning.NTSB LAX91FA181Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · Carpenteria, CA1) Inadequate weather evaluation by the pilot, 2) poor inflight decision to try and continue VMC flight, and 3) the pilot's lack of total experience.