Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate directional control of the airplane during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s fatigue.
NTSB analysis
The operator stated that the pilot was departing from a small remote airstrip. Just after lifting off, the airplane drifted to the right, and the right wing contacted brush on the side of the airstrip, causing the airplane to spin to the right and flip over. The empennage and wings sustained substantial damage. The operator said that the flight was at the end of the day, and that the pilot was very fatigued.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC11CA074 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 7, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Coldfoot, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-18-150
- N-number
- N762LA
- 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.