Probable cause
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a noseover.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, during landing on a remote area, the airplane touched down on the soft tundra, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot added that a better visual assessment of the landing area might have prevented this accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA19CA349 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 16, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Beluga, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night
Piper PA18
- N-number
- N91144
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1981
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
Other records under this N-number
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.