# NTSB ANC25LA108: Piper PA-18-150, N7777D, Delta Junction, AK, September 17, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 16, 2025, 16:30 local (Sep 17, 2025, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Delta Junction, AK - Coordinates: 63.95798, -147.07552 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.9580&lon=-147.0755&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 17, 2026 - 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): 201034 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC25LA108 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201034/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201034 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA108 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an object during takeoff, which resulted in a collision and ground loop. Contributing was the pilot’s selection of an unsuitable takeoff area. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/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) - [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) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18-150, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7101828), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll while departing from a remote ridgeline in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, the airplane’s left wing struck a small pine tree. The airplane subsequently ground looped to the left, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7777D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7777D), registered now, S/N 18-5962, built 1954 (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: 18-5962 - Year built: 1954 - Airframe hours: 4963.8 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 29, 2025, 21.8 hours before - Destination: D66, Delta Junction, AK - Airport: NONE, Ridge - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 26, 2024; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 666 total, 475 in this make and model, 601 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.69 inHg - Observed at: PABI, 36 nm away - METAR: PABI 170016Z 080/17KT 10SM FEW120 14/03 A2969 RMK EXTREME WATERFOWL VC ## 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 20250916014419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250916014419A), Sep 16, 2025: Piper PA-18-150, Delta, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot started the take off roll at a remote gravel bar. Approximately 115 feet into roll, the tailwheel came off the ground just as the left wing contacted a… ## Other investigations on N7777D (2) 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 ANC00LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA096), Aug 9, 2000: Piper PA-18 (N7777D), Delta Junction, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation. Factors in the accident were an uphill takeoff, high vegetation, and a short runway area. - [NTSB ANC80DAG91](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC80DAG91), Aug 6, 1980: Piper PA-18 (N7777D), Kodiak, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 17, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201034. 2.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19432916&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA108%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19432537&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA108%20Photos-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.