Piper PA-32R Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 547 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 28, 1999 | VALLEY SPRINGS, CA | N38908 | Incident | substantial |
The fatigue failure and separation of the No. 6 connecting rod end cap, which led to a catastrophic failure of the engine. The fatigue crack initiati…The fatigue failure and separation of the No. 6 connecting rod end cap, which led to a catastrophic failure of the engine. The fatigue crack initiation was due to galling on the rod end cap, which was most likely caused by an undetermined factory manufacturing process error during the engine rebuild. |
| Mar 09, 1999 | RICHMOND, VA | N5454F | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation which resulted in flight into icing weather conditions. A factor related to the accident was re…The pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation which resulted in flight into icing weather conditions. A factor related to the accident was restricted visibility through the icy windshield during landing. |
| Oct 14, 1998 | VIDALIA, GA | N39525 | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning by which he failed to obtain NOTAM information, and his failure to identify an hazardous/unsafe condition on…The pilot's inadequate preflight planning by which he failed to obtain NOTAM information, and his failure to identify an hazardous/unsafe condition on the runway. |
| Oct 12, 1998 | APPLE VALLEY, CA | N4316L | Incident | substantial | The pilot's inadvertent use of the aircraft's brakes while using the rudder pedals to maintain directional alignment during the takeoff roll. |
| Apr 12, 1998 | DOLO ODO, ET | N2SX | Incident | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Jan 24, 1998 | TAOS, NM | N376AA | Incident | substantial | the pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing. |
| Oct 31, 1997 | SANTA ROSA, CA | N1655H | Incident | substantial | Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. |
| Oct 20, 1997 | SCOTTSVILLE, VA | N2200J | Incident | substantial | improper engine operation by undetermined person(s) that initiated gauling on the connecting rod, and led to its subsequent failure. |
| Sep 17, 1997 | FARGO, ND | N2680Q | Incident | substantial |
the pilot's misjudgment of altitude and distance to the runway, while on final approach to land, and failure to attain the proper touchdown point on t…the pilot's misjudgment of altitude and distance to the runway, while on final approach to land, and failure to attain the proper touchdown point on the runway during the landing. The exposed runway lip was a related factor. |
| Sep 13, 1997 | OXFORD, NC | N9385C | Incident | substantial |
fatigue failure of the No.4 connecting rod in an area where galling had occurred, which resulted in loss of engine power and a forced landing. Relate…fatigue failure of the No.4 connecting rod in an area where galling had occurred, which resulted in loss of engine power and a forced landing. Related factors were: the pilot's lack of communication by failing to select the proper UNICOM frequency; and his failure or inability to flare the airplane during the forced landing, while avoiding another airplane that was landing on the same runway. |
| Jun 21, 1997 | DEFIANCE, OH | N5716F | Incident | substantial | The failure of a wheel rim due to overstress separation with no clear evidence initiating event. |
| May 12, 1997 | BURBANK, CA | N3609Q | Incident | substantial | improperly secured upper cowl fasteners by unknown person(s). |
| Apr 23, 1997 | AUGUSTA, GA | N1321H | Incident | substantial |
flight by the pilot into known adverse weather conditions, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control during the landing flare, and collision with t…flight by the pilot into known adverse weather conditions, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control during the landing flare, and collision with the terrain. The adverse weather with nearby thunderstorm activity, crosswind, and gusts was a related factor. |
| Apr 14, 1997 | LUMBERTON, NJ | N29M | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's delay in initiating remedial action to arrest an excessive descent rate during a go-around. A crosswind condition was a contributing fact…The pilot's delay in initiating remedial action to arrest an excessive descent rate during a go-around. A crosswind condition was a contributing factor. |
| Feb 18, 1997 | SALIDA, CO | N4477F | Incident | substantial |
The airplane's performance being exceeded due to the pilot's inadequate preflight planning. Factors were the uphill runway, high density altitude, an…The airplane's performance being exceeded due to the pilot's inadequate preflight planning. Factors were the uphill runway, high density altitude, and the pilot's lack of experience performing takeoffs from a high altitude airport. |
| Dec 13, 1996 | GARNETT, KS | N31SW | Incident | substantial |
the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision, including a delay in proceeding to an alternate airport after encountering fog during a night approa…the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision, including a delay in proceeding to an alternate airport after encountering fog during a night approach, which resulted in loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. |
| Dec 01, 1996 | TUSAYAN, AZ | N3566X | Incident | substantial | Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and his miscalculation of the fuel required for the flight. |
| Sep 02, 1996 | SALIDA, CO | N7640F | Incident | substantial | total failure of the induction air control linkage (bolt), which allowed the alternate air door to close and starve the engine of air. |
| Jun 08, 1996 | SAN JUAN, PR | N821RR | Incident | substantial |
Failure of the student pilot to maintain the proper descent rate resulting in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was: the failure of other …Failure of the student pilot to maintain the proper descent rate resulting in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was: the failure of other maintenance personnel to remove tape that was placed by company personnel over each static port before washing the airplane, inadequate preflight of the airplane by the student pilot, his failure to activate the alternate static source, and his lack of total experience in make and model airplane. |
| Jun 01, 1996 | WILLIAMSTOWN, NJ | N8186G | Incident | substantial |
inadequate maintenance, which resulted in a failure of the magneto housing hold-down flange, a disconnect of the magneto from the engine, and loss of …inadequate maintenance, which resulted in a failure of the magneto housing hold-down flange, a disconnect of the magneto from the engine, and loss of engine power. The obstruction (fence post) in the emergency landing area was a related factor. |
| May 17, 1996 | KERNVILLE, CA | N21312 | Incident | substantial | the pilot's inadequate compensation for the downdraft condition and subsequent failure to maintain a proper rate of descent. |
| Aug 19, 1995 | FAYETTEVILLE, AR | N47423 | Incident | substantial | THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR DUE TO THE FAILURE OF AN EMERGENCY GEAR EXTENSION VALVE. |
| Jun 23, 1995 | COLUMBIA, MO | N39620 | Incident | substantial |
A LOOSE (OR MISSING) NUT AND CLIP FOR THE BOTTOM MAGNETO STUD, DUE TO INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE, AND FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE MAGNETO HOUSING FLANGE, WHICH…A LOOSE (OR MISSING) NUT AND CLIP FOR THE BOTTOM MAGNETO STUD, DUE TO INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE, AND FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE MAGNETO HOUSING FLANGE, WHICH RESTULTED IN AN OIL LEAK, ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, AND A FORCED LANDING. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE NECESSITY FOR THE PILOT TO DELAY EXTENDING THE LANDING GEAR, SO THAT THE AIRPLANE WOULD CLEAR OBSTRUCTIONS AND REACH A FAVORABLE LANDING AREA. |
| Jun 17, 1995 | PERU, IL | N21873 | Incident | substantial | the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while landing. A factor in the accident was the runway light. |
| Mar 01, 1995 | JOLIET, IL | N1978J | Incident | substantial | the failure of the number four cylinder due to a loose cylinder hold down stud. A factor in the accident was the embankment. |