Single-engine piston

N78659

Piper PA-11

Registered 3 NTSB/FAA records
Built
—
Serial
11-1420
Class
Single-engine piston
Engines
Continental C90 series
Status
Current as of October 2026
Registered owner
Individual · sign in to see
Based
Lancaster, CA
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Registration record

N78659 on the FAA register

Type
Piper PA-11
Serial
11-1420
Engines
Continental C90 series
Registered owner
Individual — the name of an individual registrant is shown to signed-in users. Sign in
Lancaster, CA
Certificate issued
2019-09-11
Airworthiness date
1955-08-12
Registration expires
2029-09-30
Airworthiness class
Standard
Mode S (hex)
AAA9F9
Mode S (octal)
52524771
Seats (type)
2
Weight class
up to 12,499 lb
Range (type)
603 nm
Cruise (type)
148 kt
Status
Current as of October 2026
Registry history

Timeline

  • 2029-09-30
    Registration expires (renewal due).
  • 2024-03-09
    Accident at Death Valley, CA; damage: substantial.
  • 2019-09-11
    Certificate of registration issued as N78659.
  • 2010-07-27
    Incident at Ripon, WI; damage: minor.
  • 1999-05-21
    Accident at Leesburg, VA; damage: substantial.
  • 1955-08-12
    Airworthiness date on the current FAA record (standard category).
Overview

About N78659

N78659 is a Piper PA-11, serial number 11-1420. It is registered to an individual in Lancaster, California. The current certificate of registration was issued on September 11, 2019 and expires on September 30, 2029.

The FAA aircraft reference file describes the type as a single-engine piston, one Continental C90 series engine and 2 seats. Published figures for the type give a cruise speed of about 148 knots and a range of about 603 nm; actual performance depends on configuration, load and conditions. Its airworthiness certificate is standard category, dated August 12, 1955.

N78659 has 3 accident/incident records on file (most serious damage: substantial); details are below.

Cruise
148 kt
Range
603 nm
Takeoff over 50 ft
1,290 ft
Landing over 50 ft
750 ft
Fuel burn
14 gph

Published figures for the Piper PA-11 type. They describe the model, not this airframe's equipment or condition.

Safety record

Accident & incident history

2024-03-09 Accident · Death Valley, CA Damage: Substantial NTSB · WPR24LA107
Reported aircraft: Piper PA-11
Probable cause: The pilot s failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout, resulting in a ground loop and runway excursion.
NTSB report ↗
2010-07-27 Incident · Ripon, WI Damage: Minor NTSB · CEN10IA447B
Reported aircraft: Piper PA-11
Probable cause: The inability of either pilot to see the other airplane due to the blind spot created by their respective airplane's wings.
1999-05-21 Accident · Leesburg, VA Damage: Substantial NTSB · NYC99LA117
Reported aircraft: Piper PA-11
Probable cause: The pilot-in-command's (CFI) failure to maintain control of the airplane.

Sources: NTSB aviation accident database and CAROL case system, FAA preliminary accident & incident notices. Search accident records

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Browse: Piper aircraft for sale· Aircraft registered in California· Registry by state· FAA registry stats

Data: FAA Aircraft Registry (October 2026), including deregistered aircraft; NTSB and FAA accident data; fyiAero listing history. Individual owners' names are shown to signed-in users and street addresses are never shown. Type figures are published specifications, not this aircraft's.