Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while taxiing in gusty wind conditions.
NTSB analysis
During taxi, after an off-airport landing, the pilot stated that a wind gust caught the airplane from behind which resulted in the airplane nosing over and sustaining substantial damage to the right wing lift struts.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC11CA035 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 20, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Coldfoot, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-18A
- N-number
- N9279D
- 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.