Compare
Piper PA-34-200T Seneca vs Beechcraft 58 Baron
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-34-200T Seneca, Beechcraft 58 Baron.
Where they differ
- There are more Beechcraft 58s to choose from: 904 registered against 552.
- Most Piper PA-34-200Ts have the Continental TSIO-360; most Beechcraft 58s the Continental IO-520.
- The Piper PA-34-200T carries more airframe ADs with a repeat action, 5 against 1: inspections that come back for as long as the AD applies.
- Mechanics report the Piper PA-34-200T's reciprocating engine cylinder section most, and the Beechcraft 58's horizontal stabilizer, spar/rib.
Side by side
| Piper PA-34-200T Seneca | Beechcraft 58 Baron | |
|---|---|---|
| Registered in the US | 552 | 904 |
| Built | 1974 to 1980 | 1970 to 2002 |
| Half built by | 1977 | 1981 |
| Seats | 7 | 6 |
| Most common engine | Continental TSIO-360 | Continental IO-520 |
| Typical cruise fuel burn | Not set | Not set |
| Engine overhaul intervalThe engine maker's published hours between overhauls. | Not set | Not set |
| Current airframe ADs | 35 | 42 |
| Airframe ADs with a repeat action | 5 | 1 |
| Current ADs on the main engine | 22 | 28 |
| Service Difficulty ReportsSince the year shown in each guide; per 1,000 registered today. | 16 (29.0 per 1,000) | 64 (70.8 per 1,000) |
| Most-reported system | Reciprocating Engine Cylinder Section | Horizontal Stabilizer, Spar/Rib |
| Accidents since 2008Per 1,000 registered today, not per hour flown: a training fleet flies far more than a private one. | 38 (68.8 per 1,000) | 93 (102.9 per 1,000) |
| Fatal accidents since 2008 | 9 | 41 |
| Most common accident | Landing gear not configured | Loss of control in flight |
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-34-200T's repeat-action ADs
- 2022-09-13Requires establishing a life limit for these bolts
- 2013-02-13Requires inspections of the stabilator control system and replacement of parts as necessary
- 2005-13-16Replace unserviceable parts
- 97-01-01 R1The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. PA-24, PA- 28R, PA-30, PA-32R, PA-34, and PA-39 Series Airplanes
- 94-13-11Piper Aircraft Inc. Airplanes
The Beechcraft 58'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
Questions
- Which has more Airworthiness Directives, the Piper PA-34-200T or the Beechcraft 58?
- 35 current ADs name the Piper PA-34-200T airframe and 42 the Beechcraft 58; 5 and 1 of them have a repeat action.
- Which is newer, the Piper PA-34-200T or the Beechcraft 58?
- Half of the Piper PA-34-200Ts registered were built by 1977, half of the Beechcraft 58s by 1981.
- How do the Piper PA-34-200T and Beechcraft 58 accident records compare?
- 38 accidents since 2008 for the Piper PA-34-200T (9 fatal) against 93 for the Beechcraft 58 (41 fatal), from fleets of 552 and 904. Counts, not rates per hour flown.