Compare
Piper PA-32R-301 Saratoga vs Beechcraft A36 Bonanza
The two side by side, from the FAA registry, the FAA's Airworthiness Directives and Service Difficulty Reports, and the NTSB's accident database. Each has a full guide: Piper PA-32R-301 Saratoga, Beechcraft A36 Bonanza.
Where they differ
- The Piper PA-32R-301 fleet is younger: half of those registered were built by 1989, against 1981 for the Beechcraft A36.
- There are more Beechcraft A36s to choose from: 2,344 registered against 453.
- Most Piper PA-32R-301s have the Lycoming IO-540; most Beechcraft A36s the Continental IO-520.
- The Piper PA-32R-301 carries more airframe ADs with a repeat action, 3 against 2: inspections that come back for as long as the AD applies.
- Mechanics report the Piper PA-32R-301's fuselage structure (general) most, and the Beechcraft A36's engine (reciprocating).
Side by side
| Piper PA-32R-301 Saratoga | Beechcraft A36 Bonanza | |
|---|---|---|
| Registered in the US | 453 | 2,344 |
| Built | 1979 to 2005 | 1970 to 2004 |
| Half built by | 1989 | 1981 |
| Seats | 7 | 6 |
| Most common engine | Lycoming IO-540 | Continental IO-520 |
| Typical cruise fuel burn | Not set | 15 gal/hr |
| Engine overhaul intervalThe engine maker's published hours between overhauls. | Not set | Not set |
| Current airframe ADs | 21 | 33 |
| Airframe ADs with a repeat action | 3 | 2 |
| Current ADs on the main engine | 33 | 28 |
| Service Difficulty ReportsSince the year shown in each guide; per 1,000 registered today. | 7 (15.5 per 1,000) | 23 (9.8 per 1,000) |
| Most-reported system | Fuselage Structure (General) | Engine (Reciprocating) |
| Accidents since 2008Per 1,000 registered today, not per hour flown: a training fleet flies far more than a private one. | 19 (41.9 per 1,000) | 217 (92.6 per 1,000) |
| Fatal accidents since 2008 | 8 | 73 |
| Most common accident | Loss of engine power (total) | Loss of engine power (total) |
Report and accident counts are not rates: nobody publishes the hours each model flies, and a training fleet flies far more than a private one. Fuel burn is a typical cruise figure; the engine interval is its maker's published figure for the usual engine.
The Piper PA-32R-301's repeat-action ADs
- 2017-14-04Engine oil
- 2013-02-13Requires inspections of the stabilator control system and replacement of parts as necessary
- 97-01-01 R1The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. PA-24, PA- 28R, PA-30, PA-32R, PA-34, and PA-39 Series Airplanes
The Beechcraft A36's repeat-action ADs
- 2007-08-08Raytheon Aircraft Company (The Beech Aircraft Company and BEECH previously held Type Certificate Nos. 3A15, 3A16, 5A3, and A-777) Models 35-33, 35-A33, 35-B33, 35-C33, E33, F33, G33, 35-C33A, E33A, F33A, E33C, F33C, 35, A35, B35, C35, D35, E35, F35, G35, H35, J35, K35, M35, N35, P35, S35, V35, V35A, V35B, 36, A36, A45 (T-34A, B45), D45 (T-34B), 95-55, 95-A55, 95-B55, 95-B
- 2001-08-08Repetitively replace the existing Aeroquip V-band exhaust clamp
Questions
- Which has more Airworthiness Directives, the Piper PA-32R-301 or the Beechcraft A36?
- 21 current ADs name the Piper PA-32R-301 airframe and 33 the Beechcraft A36; 3 and 2 of them have a repeat action.
- Which is newer, the Piper PA-32R-301 or the Beechcraft A36?
- Half of the Piper PA-32R-301s registered were built by 1989, half of the Beechcraft A36s by 1981.
- How do the Piper PA-32R-301 and Beechcraft A36 accident records compare?
- 19 accidents since 2008 for the Piper PA-32R-301 (8 fatal) against 217 for the Beechcraft A36 (73 fatal), from fleets of 453 and 2,344. Counts, not rates per hour flown.