How many accidents has the North American T-28 had?

The NTSB has recorded 46 events involving the North American T-28: 19 fatal, 6 serious, 7 minor injuries, and 14 incidents with no injuries.

Is the North American T-28 a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The North American T-28 has 46 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

North American T-28 Safety Record

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

All Events

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (24 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Mar 27, 2000	BRIDGEPORT, TX	N28NE	Minor	substantial	The partial loss of engine power for an undetermined reason.
Feb 04, 1999	JOSHUA TREE, CA	N628B	Fatal (1)	destroyed	The pilot's decision to attempt flight into an area of known adverse weather and the subsequent inadvertent VFR flight into IFR conditions resulting i… The pilot's decision to attempt flight into an area of known adverse weather and the subsequent inadvertent VFR flight into IFR conditions resulting in an in-flight collision with mountainous terrain.
Feb 04, 1999	JOSHUA TREE, CA	N128BJ	Fatal (1)	destroyed	The pilot's decision to attempt flight into an area of known adverse weather and the subsequent inadvertent VFR flight into IFR conditions resulting i… The pilot's decision to attempt flight into an area of known adverse weather and the subsequent inadvertent VFR flight into IFR conditions resulting in an in-flight collision with mountainous terrain.
May 22, 1998	SPARTANBURG, SC	N944RJ	Incident	substantial	The pilot's misjudgment of speed and distance, and his delay in the use of brakes. Contributing to the accident was a thunderstorm, a wet runway, the… The pilot's misjudgment of speed and distance, and his delay in the use of brakes. Contributing to the accident was a thunderstorm, a wet runway, the pilot's self-induced pressure, and his inadequate inflight planning/decision.
Aug 23, 1995	REXBURG, ID	N9640C	Serious (2)	destroyed	fatigue failure of the main hydraulic line and a resulting hydraulic fluid fire. Lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing contributed to the ac… fatigue failure of the main hydraulic line and a resulting hydraulic fluid fire. Lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing contributed to the accident.
Jul 09, 1995	RAMAH, CO	N28TP	Fatal (2)	destroyed	THE AIRCREW ALLOWED THE AIRPLANE'S DESIGN STRESS LIMITS TO BE EXCEEDED.
May 28, 1995	ARCADIA, FL	N28FE	Incident	substantial	LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO SEPARATION OF 3 CONNECTING RODS FROM THE MASTER ROD FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS(S).
Jan 27, 1993	PLANTATION, FL	N203CB	Minor	substantial	FAILURE OF THE MASTER ROD MAIN BEARING WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND A SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING.
Jun 08, 1991	HOLLISTER, CA	N993CA	Minor	destroyed	THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL BAILING OUT OF HIS AIRPLANE. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS ARE RELATED TO THE POSSIBLE ONSET OF A ROUGH RUNNING ENGINE.
Feb 25, 1991	MESA, AZ	N138WW	Serious (1)	substantial	1) THE FAILURE OF THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE UPPER CRANKCASE OIL BREATHER LINE; 2) TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER CAUSED BY A LACK OF LUBRICATING OIL. A FACT… 1) THE FAILURE OF THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE UPPER CRANKCASE OIL BREATHER LINE; 2) TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER CAUSED BY A LACK OF LUBRICATING OIL. A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT INADVERTANTLY STALLING THE AIRCRAFT TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH A WIRE.
Oct 28, 1989	NEW BRAINTREE, MA	N504GH	Incident	substantial	THE FAILURE OF THE NOSE GEAR, WHICH FAILED TO RETRACT WITH THE MAIN LANDING GEAR AFTER TAKEOFF; THE GEAR WAS OBSERVED TO BE MISALIGNED, AND COLLAPSED … THE FAILURE OF THE NOSE GEAR, WHICH FAILED TO RETRACT WITH THE MAIN LANDING GEAR AFTER TAKEOFF; THE GEAR WAS OBSERVED TO BE MISALIGNED, AND COLLAPSED DURING THE AIRCRAFT'S TOUCHDOWN.
Mar 18, 1989	JEROME, ID	N128AF	Incident	substantial	THE FAILURE OF ANOTHER PERSON TO REPORT A HARD LANDING WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE NOT BEING INSPECTED BY AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL.
Mar 10, 1989	TITUSVILLE, FL	N775CH	Fatal (1)	destroyed	THE PILOT'S IMPROPER EXECUTION OF AN AEROBATIC MANEUVER RESULTING IN INADEQUATE AIRSPEED AND LOSS OF CONTROL.
Feb 24, 1988	SCHOOLCRAFT, MI	N14142	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Jan 02, 1988	WOODSTOCK, GA	N9719G	Fatal (2)	destroyed	Investigation pending
May 10, 1987	TATUM, NM	N9611C	Fatal (2)	destroyed	Investigation pending
Jan 01, 1987	VAN NUYS, CA	N9022Y	Fatal (1)	destroyed	Investigation pending
Nov 23, 1985	LANTANA, FL	N9867C	Fatal (1)	destroyed	Investigation pending
Jun 23, 1984	LOUDON, TN	N700H	Incident	destroyed	Investigation pending
Mar 16, 1984	RIALTO, CA	N14110	Fatal (2)	destroyed	Investigation pending
Feb 12, 1983	N. WINTER PARK, CO	N28TW	Fatal (1)	destroyed	Investigation pending

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

North American T-28 Safety Record

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