Probable cause
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, resulting in a loss of control and a nose over during the takeoff roll.
NTSB analysis
The airline transport pilot and one passenger were taking off from a remote island beach in his tailwheel-equipped airplane on a Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight when the accident occurred. The pilot related that as the airplane accelerated on the beach, the main landing gear wheels encountered soft sand, the airplane quickly slowed and then nosed over. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane, and that the accident could have been prevented if the airplane had larger tires, or if he had selected a firmer takeoff area.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC09CA105 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 21, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Seward, Alaska
- Nearest airport
- Na (NA)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-22
- N-number
- N2601P
- 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.