Probable cause
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, resulting in a collision with terrain.
NTSB analysis
According to the pilot, he intended to perform a touch and go "to roll the tires" on a beach. He reported that he touched down, added power, and became airborne. He reported that shortly after becoming airborne the airplane rotated 90 degrees to the right, and the left wing impacted the ground. The airplane came to rest upright on an embankment and sustained substantial damage to the left wing, empennage, and elevator.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA16CA021 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 16, 2015
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Old Harbor, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA 18-150
- N-number
- N4336Z
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1968
- 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.