JFK, Jr. flew his Piper Saratoga into the sea on a hazy evening. The plane in which Sala was a passenger was reportedly a Piper Malibu. The Malibu is a very nice aircraft of more modern design. It is much more capable and faster than the Saratoga, though both are useful machines when properly maintained and flown.
Maintenance may have been an issue if this news story is correct -