# Piper PA-32R-301 Saratoga vs Beechcraft A36 Bonanza

Page: https://www.aerscheduler.com/aircraft/compare/piper-pa-32r-301-vs-beechcraft-a36
Guides: https://www.aerscheduler.com/aircraft/piper-pa-32r-301, https://www.aerscheduler.com/aircraft/beechcraft-a36

## 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 interval | 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 Reports | 7 (15.5 per 1,000) | 23 (9.8 per 1,000) |
| Most-reported system | Fuselage Structure (General) | Engine (Reciprocating) |
| Accidents since 2008 | 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: the hours each model flies are not published. Sources: the FAA aircraft registry, Airworthiness Directives and Service Difficulty Reports, and the NTSB aviation accident database.