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 25, 1994 SAN MATEO, CA N39658 Serious (2) destroyed
A deteriorated magneto grounding ('P' lead) and failure of maintenance personnel to detect this condition when the engine was reinstalled in the airfr…

A deteriorated magneto grounding ('P' lead) and failure of maintenance personnel to detect this condition when the engine was reinstalled in the airframe after overhaul. The lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing was a factor.

Apr 08, 1994 ENGLEWOOD, CO N881GK Serious (2) destroyed A LOSS OF POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
Nov 13, 1993 MULEGE, MX N6879J Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
Feb 09, 1992 NEW YORK, NY N9147J Serious (1) substantial A POWER LOSS OF UNDETERMINED ORIGIN OVER UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.
Nov 04, 1991 CALDWELL, NJ N9207K Serious (2) destroyed
THE PILOT ALLOWED THE AIRPLANE TO GET TOO LOW ON FINAL APPROACH DURING A NIGHT VISUAL LANDING. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT IMPROPERLY PLA…

THE PILOT ALLOWED THE AIRPLANE TO GET TOO LOW ON FINAL APPROACH DURING A NIGHT VISUAL LANDING. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT IMPROPERLY PLANNED THE APPROACH, DARK NIGHT AND A LACK OF FLIGHT EXPERIENCE IN NIGHT OPERATIONS.

Aug 24, 1991 VAN NUYS, CA N9507C Serious (6) destroyed
(1) THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PREPARATION; (2) THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE AIRPLANE MANUFACTURER'S PERFORMANCE DATA BY HIS SELECTION OF AN …

(1) THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PREPARATION; (2) THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE AIRPLANE MANUFACTURER'S PERFORMANCE DATA BY HIS SELECTION OF AN IMPROPER FLAP POSITION FOR TAKEOFF; AND (3) THE PILOT'S CHOICE OF A RUNWAY TOO SHORT FOR A SAFE TAKEOFF. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: (1) THE PILOT'S TOTAL LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE AIRPLANE WHICH WAS MANIFESTED BY HIS IMPROPER POSITIONING OF THE WING FLAPS; AND (2) THE PILOT'S IMPROPER STABILATOR CONTROL USAGE DURING ROTATION FOR TAKEOFF.

Sep 10, 1990 ADDISON, TX N36720 Serious (3) destroyed
FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE THROTTLE CABLE. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS AND OBJECTS (FENCE AND UTILITY POLES) IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING A…

FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE THROTTLE CABLE. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS AND OBJECTS (FENCE AND UTILITY POLES) IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

Nov 23, 1989 JOHNSTOWN, PA N1028Q Serious (2) substantial
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER AIRSPEED AND ALTITUDE ON AN ILS FINAL APPROACH, WHICH ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO DESCEND BELOW THE GLIDE PATH AND…

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER AIRSPEED AND ALTITUDE ON AN ILS FINAL APPROACH, WHICH ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO DESCEND BELOW THE GLIDE PATH AND COLLIDE WITH APPROACH LIGHTING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS, ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE PILOT'S DECISION TO FLY IN KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER (ICING) CONDITIONS, AND STRUCTURAL ICING.

Nov 20, 1988 HOLLY SPRINGS, MS N4908F Serious (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Mar 12, 1988 ROCK HILL, SC N8727E Serious (2) destroyed Investigation pending
Sep 22, 1987 HILLSDALE, MI N8799E Serious (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Jun 28, 1987 BEND, OR N8713E Serious (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Oct 07, 1986 RANCHO, CA N8159C Serious (2) substantial Investigation pending
Mar 21, 1986 ALBUQUERQUE, NM N555EB Serious (2) destroyed Investigation pending
Jul 07, 1985 BROWNSVILLE, TX N21698 Serious (2) substantial Investigation pending
Apr 06, 1985 GARNEILL, MT N21092 Serious (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Nov 22, 1984 CHAMBERS ISLAND, WI N21596 Serious (3) destroyed Investigation pending
Nov 19, 1984 SANDUSKY, OH N8462U Serious (2) destroyed Investigation pending
Aug 09, 1984 TULSA, OK N5105F Serious (2) substantial Investigation pending
May 20, 1984 AVALON, CA N30298 Serious (2) substantial Investigation pending
Apr 27, 1984 SUFFOLK, VA N37MA Serious (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Jan 12, 1984 BASYE, VA N36791 Serious (4) destroyed Investigation pending
Jul 12, 1983 CYNTHIANA, KY N6866J Serious (4) substantial Investigation pending
Jul 11, 1983 ISLAMORADA, FL N6207J Serious (2) destroyed Investigation pending
Jul 08, 1983 COLUMBUS, OH N39487 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