# NTSB WPR26LA244: Piper PA-18A, N7764D, Minden, NV, June 23, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 23, 2026, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Minden, NV - Coordinates: 39.0005, -119.75111 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0005&lon=-119.7511&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 8, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 203319 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA244 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203319/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203319 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA244 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion. ## 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, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7101804), [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-18A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7101804), [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-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7101804), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7101804), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7101804), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during landing rollout the airplane veered left upon touchdown. Despite the pilot's application of right rudder, the deviation continued and progressed into a ground loop after the tailwheel contacted the runway. The airplane subsequently departed the runway, and the left wing and elevator impacted terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7764D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7764D), registered now, S/N 18-5944 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A - Registry model: [Piper PA-18A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a) (registry code 7101804) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-5944 - Year built: 1957 - Airframe hours: 3154 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 17, 2026, 2 hours before - Departed: MEV, Minden, NV - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: MEV, Minden-Tahoe, runway 34, 7,399 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 22, 2024; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 221 total, 59 in this make and model, 141 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.16 inHg - Observed at: MEV - METAR: METAR KMEV 231635Z AUTO VRB03KT 10SM CLR 25/06 A3016 RMK AO2 ## 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 20260623007999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260623007999A), Jun 23, 2026: Piper PA-18A, Minden, NV, Substantial damage. The flight departed Minden-Tahoe Airport (kmev), where the terrain is unobstructed and flat, via runway 34 at 9:15AM pacific daylight time on June 23, 2026. No… ## Other investigations on N7764D (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 LAX97LA229](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA229), Jul 1, 1997: Piper PA-18-150 (N7764D), Page, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind gusts and his failure to maintain directional control. - [NTSB UNK64X3323](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X3323), Aug 10, 1964: Piper PA-18A (N7764D), Loomis, NE, destroyed ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 8, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203319. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20619722&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR26LA244%206120.1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 263 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20629230&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photographs-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.