Skip to content

NTSB investigations: Piper PA-34-200, CA

29 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."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 ('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.\"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 ('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."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 ('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 GAA18CA207Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA34 · San Diego, CAThe pilot receiving instruction and flight instructor’s failure to properly configure the landing gear before landing, which resulted in landing with the landing gear retracted.Apr 10, 2018 · N4567T · Substantial damage NTSB LAX07LA186Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Upland, CAFailure of the pilot under instruction to maintain the minimum single engine control airspeed (air) and directional control while turning to final approach. Also causal was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision and delayed remedial actions.Jun 4, 2007 · N4463T · Substantial damage NTSB LAX06CA085Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper Seneca · Van Nuys, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Also causal was the flight instructor's delayed remedial action and inadequate supervision of the flight.Jan 9, 2006 · N4495T · Substantial damage NTSB LAX04CA173Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportPiper PA34-200 · La Verne, CAthe CFI 's failure to correctly reconfigure the right engine fuel selector, resulting in a total loss of power to that engine. Also causal was the CFI's failure to maintain direction control of the airplane and an adequate airspeed, which led to the airplane…Mar 31, 2004 · N74SA · Substantial damage NTSB LAX04LA138Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Hollister, CAthe student pilot's failure to maintain directional control and the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight.Feb 13, 2004 · N55073 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX03FA065Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Westlake Villag, CAa fatigue crack in the propeller hub due to the inadequate design location of the grease fitting and the chamfering process.Jan 11, 2003 · N56484 · 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 LAX00LA110Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Big Bear City, CAThe pilot's selection of a final approach airspeed in variance with the manufacturer's recommendations, which was too slow for the gusty and variable crosswind conditions, which resulted in a stall/mush and a hard landing.Feb 27, 2000 · N15202 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX98LA117Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA34-200 · Van Nuys, CAThe pilot's misjudged landing flare which led to an uncontrolled porpoise and eventual collapse of the landing gear.Mar 16, 1998 · N4442T · Substantial damage NTSB LAX97FA292Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200T · Kernville, CAThe partial loss of engine power due to the operator's inadequate engine maintenance relating to excessively rich mixtures (high fuel flow rates) and spark plug/magneto deficiencies. Contributing factors were degraded climb performance resulting from the high…Aug 18, 1997 · N6654A · Destroyed NTSB LAX96LA242Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Avalon, CAThe failure of the left brake for undetermined reasons.Jun 23, 1996 · N507TH · Substantial damage NTSB LAX95LA230Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Avalon, CAcomplete brake failure due to improper replacement and service of the brakes by company maintenance personnel.Jun 24, 1995 · N56484 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX94LA230Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Chino, CAThe right engine's failure for undetermined reasons to respond to throttle command during a go-around attempt, and both pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft. Inadequate supervision of the flight by the CFI is also considered a cause.May 31, 1994 · N4810T · Substantial damage NTSB LAX93FA282Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · La Verne, CAThe flight instructor's failure to obtain/maintain best the single-engine rate-of-climb airspeed, and his failure to ensure that the landing gear was retracted. A factor related to the accident was contamination in the fuel system, which blocked fuel flow…Jul 8, 1993 · N1392T · Destroyed NTSB LAX93FA153Accident · 6 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Carpenteria, CAUndetermined.Mar 17, 1993 · N55334 · Destroyed NTSB LAX92LA187Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Van Nuys, CAThe inadequate inspection of the airplane's brakes system by maintenance personnel and the maintenance personnel not replacing brake linings that were worn beyond their service limits. The runway lights and fence that were in the airplane's ground path after…Apr 25, 1992 · N55296 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX90LA100Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Fresno, CAThe pilot's improper handling of the airplane during taxi.Feb 21, 1990 · N222ES · Substantial damage NTSB LAX89LA135Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Lake Elsinore, CACFI displayed poor judgement in his demonstration of single engine operation of a twin engine acft. His lack of supervision of an improper, deteriorating situation assured an unsuccessful conclusion.Mar 24, 1989 · N4374T · Destroyed NTSB LAX86LA329Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-34-200 · Salinas, CAThe acft collided with the surface of rwy 13 after the nose gear collapsed. The plt indicated the three green gear safe indicator lights were illuminated prior to touchdown. The acft was landed on the main gear first and then the nose gear. The nose gear…Aug 25, 1986 · N56710 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX81FA029Accident · 5 fatalClosedPiper PA-34 · El Cajon, CAJan 1, 1981 · N56936 · Destroyed NTSB LAX79DUM16Accident · No injuriesClosedPiper PA-34 · Ramona, CAMay 12, 1979 · N56936 · Substantial damage NTSB LAX80FVG15Accident · No injuriesClosedPiper PA-34 · Travis Afb, CAFeb 19, 1979 · N15838 · Substantial damage NTSB OAK78FA037Accident · 5 fatalClosedPiper PA-34 · Ysmite Nat Pk, CAJul 4, 1978 · N56954 · Destroyed NTSB OAK77FVM26Accident · No injuriesClosedPiper PA-34 · Palo Alto, CAAug 29, 1977 · N41564 · Destroyed NTSB OAK77DVA40Accident · No injuriesClosedPiper PA-34 · Turlock, CAJul 8, 1977 · N43540 · Substantial damage NTSB OAK76DVG89Accident · No injuriesClosedPiper PA-34 · San Andreas, CAJun 24, 1976 · N56602 · Substantial damage NTSB OAK76AP015Accident · 2 fatalClosedPiper PA-34 · Kirkwood, CAOct 6, 1975 · N55105 · Destroyed NTSB LAX74DUM11Accident · No injuriesClosedPiper PA-34 · Santee, CANov 15, 1973 · N1025U · Substantial damage NTSB LAX74AL003Accident · 5 fatalClosedPiper PA-34 · Goleta, CAJul 9, 1973 · N4895T · Destroyed