Piper PA-18-135

Aircraft Manufacturer: Piper

Model: PA-18-135

Aircraft Details

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer Piper
Manufacturer Serial Number 7101820
Model PA-18-135
Category Land
Aircraft Type Fixed wing single engine
Cruise Speed 97 MPH / 84 knots
Weight Class 1 (Up to 12,499 lbs gross take off weight)
Engine Type Reciprocating
Number of Engines 1 engine
Number of Seats 2 seats
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Safety Analysis

Composition of NTSB accident records for this model in general-aviation operations (FAR Part 91 and 137), based on NTSB data as of May 1, 2026. It's a breakdown of recorded accidents rather than a safety rating, and types with significant non-GA operation (such as Part 135) may be under-represented.

94%
Identity Confirmed

Accidents are identity-confirmed against FAA registration records (two independent sources).


27 exact, 5 recovered, 2 provisional

Methodology
34
Recorded GA Accidents

Total recorded general-aviation accidents within the analyzed period.


2 fatal accidents.

5.9% of recorded accidents were fatal.

220
Currently Registered

Active aircraft fleet size contributing to the exposure data.


4,288

Aircraft-years of FAA registration exposure (2008–present).


Comparison

Within its peer cohort

Within this model's peer class (same aircraft type, engine class, and seat range), comparison of its share of recorded NTSB accidents to its share of FAA registration exposure (aircraft-years since 2008).

This is a share comparison, not flight-hours adjusted, so a model flown more per airframe than its peers will show an accident share above its exposure share even if its per-hour safety is average. Methodology →

Model class Share of cohort
Accidents
0.9%
Exposure
0.5%
Time series

Accidents by year

Recorded NTSB general-aviation accidents per calendar year, derived directly from the NTSB accident database. Each bar shows the accidents that occurred in that year. Methodology →

2008 – 2025 Total 34
Accidents by year Accidents by year (total 34 observed): 2008 3, 2009 2, 2010 2, 2011 2, 2012 2, 2013 2, 2014 7, 2015 1, 2016 2, 2017 1, 2018 1, 2019 2, 2021 1, 2022 3, 2023 1, 2025 2. 3 6 9 12 0 3 '08 2 '09 2 '10 2 '11 2 '12 2 '13 7 '14 1 '15 2 '16 1 '17 1 '18 2 '19 1 '21 3 '22 1 '23 2 '25
Composition

Phase of flight

Which phase of flight each accident occurred in, as coded by the NTSB. Most accidents happen in the phases where most flying time is concentrated, so this isn't a measure of which phase is most dangerous.

8 categories Total 34
Landing 18
Takeoff 4
Maneuvering 4
Enroute 3
Initial climb 2
Taxi 1
Approach 1
Unknown 1
Causes

Finding category

Top-level NTSB cause category, from the coded investigation findings. An accident often has more than one finding, so totals here can exceed the recorded accident count.

NTSB top-level codes Total 96
Aircraft 39
Personnel issues 34
Environmental issues 18
Not determined 3
Organizational issues 2
Outcomes

Injury severity

NTSB classification of the worst injury in each accident: None, Minor, Serious, or Fatal. Each accident counts in exactly one severity.

Highest per accident Total 34
None 22
Minor 7
Serious 3
Fatal 2

Operating-rule mix (all parts): 091 (34)

Recorded Accidents

All 34 recorded NTSB general-aviation accidents for this model, most recent first.

Date Location Tail Damage Highest injury Phase of flight Finding categories
Palmer, AK N27293 Substantial None Landing Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues
Chenega, AK N55PT Substantial None Landing Environmental issues, Aircraft, Personnel issues
Compton, CA N7199K Substantial Minor Maneuvering Aircraft
Palmer, AK N1129 Substantial None Landing Personnel issues
Walker, MN N1136 Substantial None Landing Aircraft, Personnel issues
Wasilla, AK N99640 Substantial Minor Takeoff Not determined
Skwentna, AK N99640 Substantial None Landing Aircraft, Personnel issues
Fairbanks, AK N2765A Substantial None Takeoff Aircraft, Personnel issues
Longmont, CO N89018 Substantial None Landing Aircraft, Personnel issues
Cherry Ridge, PA N6690D Substantial None Landing Aircraft, Personnel issues
Seward, AK N1258C Substantial Serious Taxi Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues
Seward, AK N1258C Substantial None Landing Personnel issues, Aircraft
Newman Lake, WA N2684A Substantial None Maneuvering Not determined
Twin Falls, ID N8086C Substantial Minor Enroute Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues
Susitna, AK N959E Substantial None Initial climb Aircraft, Personnel issues, Environmental issues
Fairbanks, AK N2158A Substantial None Landing Personnel issues, Environmental issues, Aircraft
Homer, AK N8775C Substantial None Landing Personnel issues, Aircraft
Beluga, AK N27293 Substantial None Takeoff Aircraft, Personnel issues, Environmental issues
Turner, OR N949JP Substantial None Landing Not determined, Aircraft
Aguas Buenas, PR N2875D Substantial None Enroute Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues
Kent, OR N1394Y Substantial Serious Takeoff Aircraft, Personnel issues, Environmental issues
Quilcene, WA N37JR Substantial Serious Landing Aircraft, Personnel issues
Fairbanks, AK N1467C Substantial None Landing Personnel issues, Environmental issues
Concrete, WA N1155C Substantial Minor Maneuvering Personnel issues, Aircraft
Del Norte, CO N9952Q Substantial None Landing Personnel issues, Aircraft

Page 1 of 2 (showing accidents 1–25 of 34).

Data presented on this website is sourced directly from official Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records. To ensure accuracy, we try not to correct issues such as improper punctuation, spelling errors, empty fields, or unusual labels like "SALE REPORTED" for a registrant. We make every effort to present information as it appears in the FAA database. This website is not affiliated with any government agency.