North American T-28 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 46 events recorded from 1983 to 2025.

46

All Events

14

Incidents

7

Minor

6

Serious

19

Fatal (24 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Aug 11, 2025 Monticello, IA N28XT Fatal (1) substantial Investigation pending
Aug 07, 2025 West Wendover, NV N9748Y Serious (2) substantial Investigation pending
May 17, 2025 Olivehurst, CA N28DE Serious (2) substantial Investigation pending
Jul 23, 2022 Fallbrook, CA N787AS Fatal (1) substantial A loss of power due to an unmaintained carburetor diaphragm and inoperative electric fuel pump that resulted in fuel starvation to the engine.
Aug 12, 2021 Puyallup, WA N392W Incident substantial
A nose wheel shimmy during the landing roll for reasons that could not be determined from the available evidence, which led to a loss of directional c…

A nose wheel shimmy during the landing roll for reasons that could not be determined from the available evidence, which led to a loss of directional control.

Aug 23, 2018 Minneapolis, MN N215SF Serious (1) destroyed
The fire during approach for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence, which resulted in impact with terrain during approa…

The fire during approach for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence, which resulted in impact with terrain during approach for a precautionary landing.

Jul 02, 2017 Moorhead, MN N9103F Fatal (1) destroyed
Controlled descent into terrain due to engine issues, the reason for which could not be determined because examination of the engine revealed no evide…

Controlled descent into terrain due to engine issues, the reason for which could not be determined because examination of the engine revealed no evidence of malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Dec 08, 2012 Moody, TX N280JM Minor substantial
The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because the examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would …

The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because the examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Sep 17, 2011 Martinsburg, WV N688GR Fatal (1) substantial
The pilot's impairment or incapacitation that occurred during a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver due to complications from a recent heart attack, resul…

The pilot's impairment or incapacitation that occurred during a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver due to complications from a recent heart attack, resulting in his inability to maintain control of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the Federal Aviation Administration's willingness to allow an airman with well-documented, severe coronary artery disease to perform high-risk, low-altitude aerobatic maneuvers.

May 27, 2010 Oklahoma City, OK N128AF Incident substantial The failure of the master rod bearing, which resulted in a loss of engine power.
Jul 04, 2009 Waxahachie, TX N28NB Serious (1) substantial The total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Apr 11, 2008 Kingman, AZ N9022N Minor substantial A total loss of engine power during cruise flight due to an undetermined catastrophic internal engine failure.
Mar 02, 2008 Sherman, TX N8523A Incident substantial Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the soft terrain.
Oct 22, 2006 Georgetown, LA N470 Fatal (1) destroyed The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane which led to an aerodynamic stall. A contributing factor was the dark night.
Sep 30, 2005 Arcadia, FL N176RD Incident destroyed A loss of engine power due to the failure of the master rod bearing.
Jun 24, 2005 Abilene, TX N9060F Incident minor
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance while taxiing. Contributing factors were the pilot's diverted attention and the inaccurate frequency listin…

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance while taxiing. Contributing factors were the pilot's diverted attention and the inaccurate frequency listing for ground control.

Jun 20, 2004 Deland, FL N28BZ Incident substantial
A loss of engine power due to an engine master rod bearing failure for undetermined reasons, resulting in damage to the airplane during the subsequen…

A loss of engine power due to an engine master rod bearing failure for undetermined reasons, resulting in damage to the airplane during the subsequent forced landing.

Jun 04, 2004 Manitowoc, WI N404DK Incident substantial
Failure of the number 4 piston articulating rod resulting in a complete loss of engine power during initial climb. The ditch was a contributing facto…

Failure of the number 4 piston articulating rod resulting in a complete loss of engine power during initial climb. The ditch was a contributing factor.

Jun 03, 2004 Wesley Chapel, FL N261FM Fatal (1) substantial
The pilot's failure to verify security of the left engine cowling and its subsequent separation in-flight and collision with the vertical stabilizer r…

The pilot's failure to verify security of the left engine cowling and its subsequent separation in-flight and collision with the vertical stabilizer resulting in the loss of aircraft control.

Oct 28, 2003 Hornbrook, CA N28AF Fatal (1) destroyed a catastrophic engine failure from oil exhaustion due to inadequate maintenance installation of the lubricating system hoses.
May 30, 2003 Houston, TX N14124 Incident substantial The failure of the nose wheel landing gear shimmy damper for undetermined reasons.
Dec 10, 2002 Glenwood, MN N114DH Fatal (2) destroyed The altitude/clearance not maintained by the pilot-in-command. The low altitude maneuvering by the pilot-in-command was a contributing factor.
Apr 04, 2002 Uvalde, TX N13RW Fatal (1) destroyed The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft for undetermined reasons.
Sep 25, 2000 HEBER CITY, UT N28YF Incident substantial the failure of the nose wheel landing gear shimmy damper, which resulted in failure and collapse of the nose wheel landing gear during landing roll.
Apr 15, 2000 KANKAKEE, IL N82AW Minor destroyed
the misjudged glidepath by the pilot. Factors were the failure of the impeller seal resulting in a total loss of engine oil and subsequent engine fai…

the misjudged glidepath by the pilot. Factors were the failure of the impeller seal resulting in a total loss of engine oil and subsequent engine failure, the plowed farm field, and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Disclaimer: This data is sourced from the NTSB Aviation Accident Database. NTSB events reflect reported accidents and incidents and do not necessarily indicate a defect in the aircraft type. Many events involve pilot error, weather conditions, maintenance issues, or other factors unrelated to the aircraft design. This information is provided for research purposes only — consult official NTSB reports for complete details.
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Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data