# NTSB ANC24LA080: Piper PA-18-150, N82065, Arctic Village, AK, August 16, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: August 15, 2024, 18:20 local (Aug 16, 2024, 02:20 UTC)
- Place: Arctic Village, AK
- Coordinates: 68.83, -143.55
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=68.8300&lon=-143.5500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA FSDO Fairbanks
- NTSB case key (mKey): 194992
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC24LA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194992/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194992
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA080

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff in gusting wind conditions.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff, the airplane encountered a strong gust of wind that lifted the left wing and pushed the airplane to the right of the remote, off airport site. The right wingtip struck the ground, and the airplane ground looped which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N82065](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N82065), registered now, S/N 18-7809124, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-7809124
- Year built: 1978
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 27, 2024
- Departed: Arctic Village, AK
- Destination: PACR, Circle City, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; last flight review August 21, 2022; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 387 total, 351 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observed at: PABA, 78 nm away
- METAR: PABA 160152Z AUTO 07012KT 10SM CLR 11/08 A2986 RMK AO2 SLP118 T01110078

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20240815012719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240815012719A), Aug 15, 2024: Piper PA-18-150, Arctic Village, AK, Substantial damage. Departed sheenjek river gravel strip at 18:30 local on 15 August 2024. Monitored winds prior to departure, which showed crosswind conditions of 3-6 mph with…

## Other investigations on N82065 (1)

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

- [NTSB DEN80FTE11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN80FTE11), Dec 5, 1979: Piper PA-18 (N82065), Englewood, CO, substantial damage

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 9, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194992. 6.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 6.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17757001&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 294 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18630534&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=photo%20array-Rel.pdf

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

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