Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll and liftoff, which resulted in a collision with trees and the ground.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was departing from a remote airstrip that was about 2,000 feet long, and about 40 feet wide. He indicated that the center of the airstrip was gravel, with 8 inch-high grass along the edges. He said that during the takeoff roll and after the tailwheel came up, the airplane pulled to the right, possibly due to the right main landing gear encountering the grass edge. The airplane lifted off to about 15 feet while drifting to the right, and the right wingtip struck trees that were along the edge of the airstrip.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC08LA075 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 22, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Skwentna, Alaska
- Nearest airport
- Tal River Lodge
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-18
- N-number
- N5408Y
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
Other records under this N-number
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.