Probable cause
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing.
NTSB analysis
The solo private pilot aborted a landing on a beach after a personal cross-country flight. During the landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage when it struck debris and impacted terrain. In a written statement the pilot said that he didn't like the feel of the terrain during the landing, and added power to abort the landing. He said that the airplane struck debris during the aborted landing. The pilot said there were no known mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident, and that the propeller and left main landing gear was damaged during the accident. He further stated that he should have looked over the landing area better prior to landing and had a better exit plan.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC09CA054 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 7, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Tyonek, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-18-150
- N-number
- N82057
- 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.