# NTSB ANC25LA119: Piper PA-18-150, N1869W, Eagle, AK, September 8, 2025

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: September 8, 2025, 10:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Eagle, AK
- Coordinates: 64.800148, -141.19394 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8001&lon=-141.1939&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 20, 2026
- 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): 201874
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC25LA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201874/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201874
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA119

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from brush during landing.

## 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 · Effect on operation (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)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (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)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Landing-landing roll: 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 landing on a remote gravel bar in a tailwheel-equipped airplane he struck a stand of brush that resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot did not submit the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1869W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1869W), registered now, S/N 18-8835, built 1969 (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: 18-8835
- Year built: 1969
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 1,821 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.74 inHg
- Observed at: AEG, 2 nm away
- METAR: PAEG 081753Z AUTO VRB06KT 10SM CLR 13/07 A2974 RMK AO2 SLP073 T01330072 10133 20044 58004 TSNO $

## 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 20250908014469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250908014469A), Sep 8, 2025: Piper PA-18-150, Eagle, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted to land on a gravel bar. On touch down the aircraft's left wheel dipped into a depression, causing the aircraft to pitch down and to the left,…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 20, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201874. 1.6 MB in all.

- Pilot's statement (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20590068&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20-%20Pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20589248&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.

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