Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during an off-airport landing.
NTSB analysis
The airplane was operating under Title 14, CFR Part 91 as a local personal flight when the accident occurred. The solo private pilot reported he was landing at a rough and uneven off-airport site in a tailwheel airplane equipped with 31-inch tundra tires. He said as he entered the landing flare, the tailwheel hit a raised portion of the landing surface, which pushed the tail up, and pushed the nose of the airplane down, resulting in the propeller striking the ground. When the propeller hit the ground, the pilot said he was unable to maintain control, and the airplane nosed over, sustaining structural damage to both wings and rudder. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane that precipitated the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC10CA088 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 6, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Arctic Village, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-18-160
- N-number
- N9128D
- 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.