20250628008029A

Accident · Substantial damage

FAA accident report · Piper PA-18-135 · Seward, AK · June 28, 2025

Date: June 28, 2025 · 12:00 local
Place: Seward, AK
Airport: Latoche Island
Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
Damage: Substantial damage
Aircraft: N55PT
NTSB investigation: NTSBANC25LA066
Reported as: Piper PA-18-135
People aboard: 1
Fatal injuries: 0
Other injuries: 0
Pilot’s certificate: Private pilot
Pilot’s flight hours: 563 total

N55PTRegistered now · Piper PA-18-135S/N 18-2675 · Built 1953 Airframe modelPiper PA-18-135 Engine modelLycoming 0-320 seriesReciprocating

From the FAA’s Accident/Incident Data System (AIDS), through its Aviation Safety Information Portal, as reported. The NTSB investigates accidents separately, and its record of an accident is the fuller one. The aircraft is matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

What happened

The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.

During landing the wind changed directions causing the left-wing tip to dip, pushing the aircraft towards the trees on the side of the runway. Left wing tip contacted the trees. Pilot applied full power to avoid trees. The aircraft came to rest about 10 to 15 feet off the runway in the trees.

As the FAA filed it

DURING LANDING THE WIND CHANGED DIRECTIONS CAUSING THE LEFT-WING TIP TO DIP, PUSHING THE AIRCRAFT TOWARDS THE TREES ON THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. LEFT WING TIP CONTACTED THE TREES. PILOT APPLIED FULL POWER TO AVOID TREES. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST ABOUT 10 TO 15 FEET OFF THE RUNWAY IN THE TREES.

NTSB investigation

The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.

NTSB ANC25LA066Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportChenega, AKThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting and variable wind conditions.Jun 28, 2025 · Substantial damage

Other reports on N55PT · 1

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

Incident 20010808024899ITo Aborted (Fixed Wing) · Tazlina, AK(-23) Suspect that aircraft crashed. Inspector contacted owner but received no information to either confirm or deny suspicion. Owner is uncooperative.[privacy data omitted] This 8020-23 will be amended when additional evidence is produced.Aug 8, 2001 · Substantial damage