Probable cause
The pilot’s decision to take off with a quartering tailwind, which resulted in a loss of control.
NTSB analysis
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he departed from runway 29, a dry, paved runway, with a slight left quartering tailwind. As the airplane accelerated, it veered to the left with full right rudder applied. The airplane turned right, and the left main gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot said that the accident might have been avoided if he had used a different runway.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC12CA045 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 3, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Ketchikan, Alaska
- Nearest airport
- Ketchikan International (PAKT)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 150G
- N-number
- N3235J
- 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.