Piper PA-22
Aircraft Manufacturer: Piper
Model: PA-22
About the Piper PA-22
The Piper PA-22 is a four-seat strut-braced high-wing light aircraft built by Piper Aircraft. Piper produced the Tri-Pacer from 1950 to 1964. The type ranks 38th by active fleet size among Piper's registered models, and more than 200 remain on the U.S. civil registry.
About three-quarters of the PA-22s ever entered on the U.S. registry have since been deregistered.
Over its FAA-registration exposure, the type records about 4.6 accidents per 1,000 aircraft-years. The Tri-Pacer has a higher accident rate than about two-thirds of comparable types. Of the 35 recorded Tri-Pacer accidents, 2 were fatal.
Aircraft Details
| Manufacturer | Piper |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Serial Number | 7102202 |
| Model | PA-22 |
| Category | Land |
| Aircraft Type | Fixed wing single engine |
| Cruise Speed | 94 MPH / 82 knots |
| Weight | Class 1 (Up to 12,499 lbs gross take off weight) |
| Engine Type | Reciprocating |
| Number of Engines | 1 engine |
| Number of Seats | 4 seats |
Share your captured photos of the Piper PA-22, receive attribution and a link. 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.
Accidents are identity-confirmed against FAA registration records (two independent sources).
14 exact, 20 recovered, 0 provisional
MethodologyTotal recorded general-aviation accidents within the analyzed period.
1 fatal accidents.
2.9% of recorded accidents were fatal.
Active aircraft fleet size contributing to the exposure data.
7,600
Aircraft-years of FAA registration exposure (2008–present).
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 →
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 →
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.
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.
Injury severity
NTSB classification of the worst injury in each accident: None, Minor, Serious, or Fatal. Each accident counts in exactly one severity.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Star City, AR | N7253D | Substantial | None | Landing | Aircraft, Environmental issues, Personnel issues | |
| Fairbanks, AK | N3414A | Substantial | None | Landing | Personnel issues, Environmental issues, Aircraft | |
| St. Paul, OR | N2441P | Substantial | None | Landing | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| OSHKOSH, WI | N3671A | Substantial | Minor | Initial climb | Environmental issues, Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Kemp, TX | N9980D | Destroyed | Fatal | Initial climb | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Peyton, CO | N1264C | Substantial | None | Landing | Not determined | |
| Ugashik, AK | N5840Z | Substantial | None | Landing | Environmental issues, Personnel issues | |
| Nickerson, KS | N1424A | Substantial | None | Landing | Aircraft, Environmental issues | |
| El Cajon, CA | N3316A | Substantial | None | Landing | Aircraft, Personnel issues, Environmental issues |
Page 2 of 2 (showing accidents 26–34 of 34).
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