# NTSB ANC25LA072: Piper PA-18-150, N82109, Dillingham, AK, July 12, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 11, 2025, 17:30 local (Jul 12, 2025, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Dillingham, AK - Coordinates: 59.055333, -158.57283 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.0553&lon=-158.5728&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - 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 - NTSB case key (mKey): 200515 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC25LA072 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200515/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200515 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA072 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain direction control during takeoff roll which resulted in a ground loop, and subsequent runway excursion. ## 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); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 98 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 160 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that as she applied throttle for takeoff the nose veered to the right, she corrected with left rudder pedal. However, the airplane continued to veer to the right, the pilot added more throttle which worsened the right turn. Subsequently the pilot closed the throttle and applied left brake, the airplane turned to the left, ground looped and exited the runway. The airplane came to rest in a ditch adjacent to the runway, the two occupants were able to egress from the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and tail section. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N82109](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N82109), registered now, S/N 18-7809130 (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: 18-7809130 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 2278.7 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 27, 2025 - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: AA15, Shannons Pond, runway NE/SW, 1,400 × 100 ft, gravel - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2025; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 170.68 total, 5.2 in this make and model, 136.6 as pilot in command, 5.2 in the last 90 days, 1.1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 6 knots - Visibility: 4.6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.67 inHg - Observed at: PADL, 2 nm away - METAR: PADL 111656Z 00000KT 10SM SCT075 13/11 A2969 RMK AO2 SLP056 T01280106 ## 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 20250711011179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250711011179A), Jul 11, 2025: Piper PA-18-150, Dillingham, AK, Substantial damage. As the pilot was preparing for departure, she used mid range power to crest burm of soft gravel onto the runway. Pilot used both rudder and brake to turn onto… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 5, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200515. 2.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19118328&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA072%206120%20pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19041537&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photographs%20ANC25LA072-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.