Piper PA-18A Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 108 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.

108

All Events

62

Incidents

17

Minor

14

Serious

15

Fatal (20 fatalities)
Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
May 23, 2025 Susitna, AK N1364C Incident substantial The pilot’s encounter with shifting winds during landing, which resulted in a loss of airspeed and altitude, and subsequent contact with water.
Sep 04, 2024 Denali, AK N424RD Incident substantial Failure to maintain clearance from terrain due to the airplane’s encounter with windshear during takeoff.
Feb 27, 2024 Dallesport, WA N518SW Serious (1) minor The pilot’s failure to disengage the ignition prior to moving the propeller by hand resulting in the inadvertent starting of the engine.
Jan 26, 2024 Eden, OR N7473D Serious (1) substantial An impact with terrain for undetermined reasons.
Dec 29, 2023 Vermillion, SD N2774P Incident substantial
The pilot’s encounter with carburetor icing during landing final approach which resulted in fuel starvation, a total loss of engine power, and impact …

The pilot’s encounter with carburetor icing during landing final approach which resulted in fuel starvation, a total loss of engine power, and impact with terrain.
Apr 14, 2023 Garrison, MO N7278D Incident substantial The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning which resulted in fuel starvation, a loss of engine power and a subsequent impact with terrain.
Mar 22, 2023 Lakeland, FL N1907A Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to ensure that the landing gear was properly configured for a water landing.
Jun 22, 2022 CHARLESTOWN, NH N1927A Serious (1) substantial The pilot’s failure to see and avoid power lines while maneuvering at low altitude.
Mar 29, 2021 Anchorage, AK N1968P Minor substantial A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
Mar 13, 2021 Kasilof, AK N9073D Incident substantial The pilot’s mismanagement of the available fuel, which resulted in a total loss on engine power due to fuel starvation.
Aug 24, 2017 Tyonek, AK N1905A Fatal (1) destroyed
The noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to initiate a visual flight rules flight into dark night, marginal visual flight rules to instrument flight r…

The noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to initiate a visual flight rules flight into dark night, marginal visual flight rules to instrument flight rules conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation.
Sep 06, 2014 Gunthersville, AL N7089B Incident substantial The pilot's failure to retract the landing gear wheels prior to a water landing, resulting in a nose over upon touchdown.
Aug 31, 2013 Nikolai, AK N4581A Fatal (1) destroyed
The pilot’s improper decision to load the airplane beyond its allowable takeoff weight and center of gravity limits, which resulted in a loss of contr…

The pilot’s improper decision to load the airplane beyond its allowable takeoff weight and center of gravity limits, which resulted in a loss of control during the initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the external load and the downwind takeoff.
Aug 24, 2013 Talkeetna, AK N3599A Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
Jun 12, 2013 Juneau, AK N1886P Incident substantial The pilot did not maintain directional control while attempting to recover from a bounced landing.
May 13, 2013 Nikiski, AK N2496P Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, resulting in contact with terrain, and a ground loop.
Aug 18, 2012 Talkeetna, AK N7863D Incident substantial The pilot's decision to land on a short, wet, off-airport landing site, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Jul 03, 2012 Illiamna, AK N8889D Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a loss of control.
May 26, 2012 Farmingdale, NJ N4895A Incident substantial The pilot’s loss of directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Apr 12, 2012 West Palm Beach, FL N12003 Minor substantial
The inadequate assembly of the brakes, which caused them to lock during the landing roll when the airplane transitioned from asphalt to turf, resultin…

The inadequate assembly of the brakes, which caused them to lock during the landing roll when the airplane transitioned from asphalt to turf, resulting in the airplane nosing over.
Sep 08, 2011 Galena, AK N2694P Incident substantial The total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Aug 05, 2011 Sherman, TX N150CW Minor substantial The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Jul 13, 2011 Cordova, AK N9255D Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during approach, resulting in an aerodynamic stall, and collision with terrain.
Jun 15, 2011 McCarthy, AK N1858A Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while taxiing in gusty wind conditions.
May 20, 2011 Coldfoot, AK N9279D Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while taxiing in gusty wind conditions.
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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