Piper PA-18 accident near Talkeetna, Alaska, September 11, 2008
On September 11, 2008, a Piper PA-18, registered N7174K, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Talkeetna, Alaska. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed to preclude a stall while maneuvering at a low altitude, resulting in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 11, 2008
- Place
- Talkeetna, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-18 · all PA-18s on the register
- Registration
- N7174K · registry record · serial 18-393
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot was on a Title 14, CFR Part 91, local area passenger flight in conjunction with his hunting/guiding business. The flight was to include landing at remote off airport sites. According to the surviving passenger, he and the pilot headed for a remote area to look for caribou. He said they were circling to the left looking for a likely camp site. He said the turn became tighter, and the angle of bank became steeper. The passenger said the angle of bank suddenly became very steep, and he heard the pilot say something like "Oh No!" over the intercom. He said he looked forward, and saw the ground through the front windscreen. The passenger said the airplane's left wing struck the ground first, followed by the nose. A fire erupted, and after putting out the fire and attempting to help the pilot, the passenger said he headed toward a camp they had seen from the air to get help. According to the passenger there were no known mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident. Given the absence of any mechanical issues with the airplane, the steep bank, and sudden decrease in pitch attitude, it is likely the pilot inadvertently stalled the airplane during the turn.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
- Fire/smoke (post-impact) during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,000 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,503 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 1,750 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: PATK Talkeetna AK at 7:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 700 ft
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 29.30 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from PATK, 40 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.
Other NTSB records under N7174K the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.