Probable cause
The pilot's failure to attain/maintain sufficient flying speed during initial climb.
NTSB analysis
The private pilot was taking off from an off-airport site on a personal, local flight, under Title 14, CFR Part 91. He said that the site was slightly uphill, and that after becoming airborne, he attempted to increase airspeed by "dropping flaps, and lowering the nose." He said that due to rising terrain, he turned the airplane downwind, and the airplane "sank." The airplane touched down on the tundra, and nosed over. He said there were no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC08CA119 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 8, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Coldfoot, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-18-135
- N-number
- N9950Q
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.