Probable cause
The pilot's decision to land on a short, wet, off-airport landing site, which resulted in a runway excursion.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was landing a tundra-tire and tailwheel-equipped airplane on a short, wet off-airport site that was on the top of a small butte. He was unable to stop the airplane in the available landing area, and the airplane rolled over an embankment, coming to rest approximately 50 feet downhill in a shallow creek bed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot indicated there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC12CA091 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 18, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Talkeetna, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-18A 150
- N-number
- N7863D
- 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.