Piper PA-32R Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 547 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.

547

All Events

245

Incidents

64

Minor

52

Serious

185

Fatal (416 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Sep 17, 1989 MAMMOTH LAKES, CA N3929F Incident substantial
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR THE EXISTING WIND CONDITION AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED. FACTORS THAT RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE…

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR THE EXISTING WIND CONDITION AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED. FACTORS THAT RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE GUSTY & CROSS-WINDS AND HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.

Sep 02, 1989 PARADISE VALLEY, NV N83TL Incident substantial
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, AND HIS FAILURE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, SOFT RUNWAY, AND FENCE WERE R…

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, AND HIS FAILURE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, SOFT RUNWAY, AND FENCE WERE RELATED FACTORS.

Aug 31, 1989 WOLFEBORO, NH N21353 Minor destroyed
INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS BY THE OWNER/PILOT-IN-COMMAND (PIC), HIS FAILUE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE ON THE APPROACH, AND FAILURE O…

INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS BY THE OWNER/PILOT-IN-COMMAND (PIC), HIS FAILUE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE ON THE APPROACH, AND FAILURE OF THE OTHER PILOT (OWNER'S INSTRUCTOR PILOT) TO TAKE REMEDIAL ACTION. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WIND CONDITIONS AND TREES NEAR THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY.

Jul 27, 1989 NAPPANEE, IN N3923F Incident substantial THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT CALCULATION OF WEIGHT AND BALANCE AND THE AIRCRAFT'S INADEQUATE CLIMB CAPABILITY DUE TO LOW COMPRESSION.
Jul 22, 1989 BLACKSBURG, VA N69WP Incident substantial
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE LANDING FLARE/TOUCHDOWN. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: ADVERSE WIND CONDI…

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE LANDING FLARE/TOUCHDOWN. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: ADVERSE WIND CONDITIONS AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND.

Jul 16, 1989 CELINA, TX N4360K Fatal (2) destroyed
IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT. RELATED FACTORS WERE: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO USE ALL OF THE AVAILABLE RUNWAY AREA, THE RUNWAY/TERRAIN COND…

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT. RELATED FACTORS WERE: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO USE ALL OF THE AVAILABLE RUNWAY AREA, THE RUNWAY/TERRAIN CONDITIONS, AND OBSTRUCTIONS/POWER LINES BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY.

Jul 12, 1989 COLUMBUS, OH N2153K Incident substantial
THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE PROPELLER GOVERNOR IDLER-GEAR SHAFT RETAINING SET-SCREW, WHICH LED TO AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AND RESULTED IN A LOSS OF EN…

THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE PROPELLER GOVERNOR IDLER-GEAR SHAFT RETAINING SET-SCREW, WHICH LED TO AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AND RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER; AND THE REDUCTION OF THE PILOT'S ABILITY TO SEE OUTSIDE THE AIRPLANE DUE TO OIL ON THE WINDSHIELD.

Jun 30, 1989 TELLURIDE, CO N82908 Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL DURING AN ENCOUNTER WITH TURBULENCE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE TURBULENCE.
May 30, 1989 STRATFORD, TX N3279Q Incident substantial
IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND HIS INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL. THE WIND …

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND HIS INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL. THE WIND CONDITION WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

May 24, 1989 PHOENIX, AZ N39520 Incident substantial THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE BEHIND THE B-737 WHICH RESULTED IN THE INADVERTENT ENCOUNTER WITH WAKE TURBULENCE.
May 16, 1989 GAINESVILLE, FL N43797 Minor substantial
PILOT'S INABILITY TO PROPERLY FLARE DUE TO A HIGH SINK RATE AS A RESULT OF INSUFFICIENT AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING SHORT OF AND OFF OF …

PILOT'S INABILITY TO PROPERLY FLARE DUE TO A HIGH SINK RATE AS A RESULT OF INSUFFICIENT AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING SHORT OF AND OFF OF THE RUNWAY.

Mar 12, 1989 SOUTHBRIDGE, MA N301WA Fatal (2) destroyed
POOR JUDGEMENT OF THE PILOT BY FLYING WHILE PHYSICALLY IMPAIRED BY ALCOHOL, AND HIS CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (I…

POOR JUDGEMENT OF THE PILOT BY FLYING WHILE PHYSICALLY IMPAIRED BY ALCOHOL, AND HIS CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC). RELATED FACTORS WERE: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, DARK NIGHT, ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND TREES AT THE ACCIDENT SITE.

Feb 18, 1989 FORT LAUDERDALE, FL N4303X Incident substantial FAULTY INSTALLATION OF AVIONICS EQUIPMENT WHICH CAUSED WIRING IN THE LANDING GEAR SYSTEM TO BE IMPROPERLY REINSTALLED.
Jan 18, 1989 SANTA ANA, CA N6913D Incident substantial POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION BY SELECTING THE WRONG RUNWAY DESPITE NOTAM AND ATIS INFORMATION INDICATING THE RUNWAY WAS CLOSED.
Nov 20, 1988 HOLLY SPRINGS, MS N4908F Serious (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Aug 14, 1988 WELLSBORO, PA N979LA Fatal (1) substantial THE PILOT ATTEMPTING A TAKEOFF IN AN OVER GROSSED AIARCRAFT IN HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND FLEW OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY INTO HIGH GRASS.
Aug 08, 1988 EDNA, TX N8355L Incident substantial
A DELAY IN INITIATION OF THE GO-AROUND DURING THE PILOT'S SECOND ATTEMPT TO LAND IN THE DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE RU…

A DELAY IN INITIATION OF THE GO-AROUND DURING THE PILOT'S SECOND ATTEMPT TO LAND IN THE DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE RUNWAY CLOSURE DUE TO CONSTRUCTION, WHICH RESULTED IN NO RUNWAY LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, AND THE FACT THAT THE PILOT DID NOT RECEIVE THE APPROPRIATE NOTAM.

Jul 20, 1988 CHICAGO, IL N8069S Incident substantial Investigation pending
Jun 30, 1988 OLATHE, KS N8328A Incident substantial Investigation pending
Jun 30, 1988 ATLANTIC OCEAN, AO N75033 Incident destroyed Investigation pending
Jun 27, 1988 CAMBRIDGE, MD N21312 Incident substantial Investigation pending
Jun 16, 1988 LAKE WALES, FL N4379A Incident substantial Investigation pending
Apr 16, 1988 PORT ANGELES, WA N36815 Fatal (3) destroyed Investigation pending
Apr 03, 1988 MIDDLESBORO, KY N8171P Fatal (7) destroyed Investigation pending
Mar 12, 1988 ROCK HILL, SC N8727E Serious (2) 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