# NTSB ANC25LA041: Piper PA-18A 150, N1364C, Susitna, AK, May 23, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 22, 2025, 19:10 local (May 23, 2025, 03:10 UTC) - Place: Susitna, AK - Coordinates: 61.596646, -150.4839 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5966&lon=-150.4839&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 23, 2025 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 200226 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC25LA041 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200226/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200226 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA041 ## Probable cause The pilot’s encounter with shifting winds during landing, which resulted in a loss of airspeed and altitude, and subsequent contact with water. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Wind: sudden wind shift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while on landing approach to a remote river sandbar in gusty wind conditions, the headwind rapidly decreased and the airplane lost airspeed and began to descend. The pilot applied full engine power in an attempt to arrest the descent; however, the wheels contacted the water, and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing struts. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1364C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1364C), registered now, S/N 18-2613 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A 150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-2613 - Airframe hours: 3800 - Engines: LYCOMING O-290 SERIES 140 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 14, 2025 - Departed: PALH, Anchorage, AK - Destination: Same as departure - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 25, 2025; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 5,127 total, 450 in this make and model, 5,127 as pilot in command, 118 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: AWS, 27 nm away - METAR: PAWS 230256Z AUTO VRB03KT 10SM OVC095 13/01 A2990 RMK AO2 SLP128 T01280011 58008 ## 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 20250523012749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250523012749A), May 23, 2025: Piper PA-18A 150, Susitna, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot had landed on a large gravel bar in the Susitna River at the confluence of the Susitna River and yentna River. Afterward, pilot elected to land on a… ## Other investigations on N1364C (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 ANC78DAH13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC78DAH13), Aug 26, 1978: Piper PA-18 (N1364C), Iliamna, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 23, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200226. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19188972&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_1_Form_CRushsigned_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 663 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19188982&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-Rel.pdf 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.