# Accident 20260618006389A: Piper PA-20, Cordova, AK, June 18, 2026

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 18, 2026, 12:00 local time
- Place: Cordova, AK
- Airport: Cordova, Ak
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 60.2068° N, 144.4298° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.2068&lon=-144.4298&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7635K, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7635K) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-20 (registry code 7102002, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-20) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-20
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,300 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC26FA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC26FA057) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260618006389A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

A PIPER PA-20, FLOWN BY A COMMERCIAL PILOT WITH AN INSTRUMENT RATING, DEPARTED UNDER VFR CONDITIONS BUT ENCOUNTERED LOW CEILINGS, RAIN, FOG AND OBSCURED MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE PILOT CONTINUED INTO IMC TOWARDS HIS DESTINATION AND THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED TERRAIN 1169 FEET MSL ON A STEEP MOUNTAINOUS SLOPE ABOUT 40 MILES SE FROM THE CORDOVA, AK AIRPORT (PACV).  AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE COMMERCIAL PILOTS CERTIFICATE WAS SUSPENDED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC26FA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC26FA057), Jun 18, 2026: Piper PA20 (N7635K), Cordova, AK, destroyed, 1 fatal, investigation ongoing

## Other reports on N7635K (2)

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

- [Accident 20080802848599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080802848599A), Aug 2, 2008: Piper PA20 (N7635K), Grass Valley, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) After landing, the pilot attempted to slow down by using the brakes. His right foot slid off the right brake causing differential braking. The aircraft…
- [Accident 19770501016059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770501016059A), May 1, 1977: Piper PA20 (N7635K), Ismay, MT, Substantial damage. Landing in alfalfa fld,swerved left,nosed over.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft 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. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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