Piper PA-30 / PA-39 Twin Comanche
3 models built 1963–1972 · 960 on the US register today
The Twin Comanche, built 1963-1972: a light, clean twin with two 160 hp four-cylinder Lycoming IO-320s that cruises at 170 knots on about 16 gallons an hour total. The PA-30B (1965) added two seats and extra windows, the PA-30C a new interior; the PA-39 (1970-72) is the Twin Comanche C/R with counter-rotating propellers, on the same type certificate (A1EA).
The variants
| MODEL | YEARS | ACTIVE | TAILFAX SCORE | WHAT CHANGED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PA-30 | 1963–1972 | 877 | 31.4/50 | The original Twin Comanche |
| PA-30B-160 | 1965–1968 | 1 | — | Twin Comanche B: two extra seats and windows |
| PA-39 | 1970–1972 | 82 | Partial 12.6/30 | Twin Comanche C/R: counter-rotating propellers |
Family fleet, active
960
FAA registry
NTSB events / 1,000, 10 yrs
53.1
51 events over 960 active aircraft, pooled across the family
Data as of: FAA registry Sep 28 · NTSB Oct 2 · scores Sep 30