Piper PA-18 accident near Iliamna, Alaska, September 15, 2003
On September 15, 2003 at about 1:00 am local time, a Piper PA-18, registered N3795Z, was substantially damaged in an accident near Iliamna, Alaska. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the takeoff run, which resulted in the airplane nosing over in the water. Factors contributing to the accident were wind gusts, and the pilot's inadequate evaluation of the wind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 15, 2003 · about 1:00 am local time
- Place
- Iliamna, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-18 · all PA-18s on the register
- Registration
- N3795Z · registry record · serial 18-7486
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airline transport certificated pilot was departing a small lake in a float-equipped airplane to reposition onto a larger lake in the area. He said that as he applied takeoff power, the left wing was immediately lifted by gusty winds. He applied left aileron, but the airplane continued to roll to the right. The right wing contacted the water and the airplane either nosed, or rolled, over. The pilot indicated that gusty wind conditions from the north may have been affected by a hill adjacent to the lake. The pilot said that prior to takeoff from the remote lake, he utilized a satellite phone to obtain weather information for his planned destination, and also for the area of departure. The pilot said he learned that the destination had gusty winds and turbulence. The closest weather reporting station, located 30 miles away, had winds of 13 knots from the north.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot, flight engineer, military, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 6,436 hours in all; 61 in this make and model; 260 in the last 90 days; 48 in the last 30 days; 2,994 as pilot in command; 281 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 9, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,056 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, June 1, 2003; 36 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,750 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-A2B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Iliamna AK at 8:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.22 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from PAIL, 30 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.