Piper PA-18-135 accident near Wasilla, Alaska, February 27, 2022
On February 27, 2022 at about 9:32 pm local time, a Piper PA-18-135, registered N99640, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Wasilla, Alaska (Wolf Lake Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 27, 2022 · about 9:32 pm local time
- Place
- Wasilla, Alaska · Wolf Lake Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-18-135 · all PA-18-135s on the register
- Registration
- N99640 · no longer on the register · serial 54-2642
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The noncertificated pilot stated that, shortly after takeoff, the engine began to lose power, run roughly, and shake violently. He applied carburetor heat and selected the left fuel tank, then the right fuel tank before selecting both fuel tanks with no change noted. He reduced engine power to control the airplane shaking and conducted an emergency landing. During the emergency landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. A postaccident examination revealed that the fuel selector was improperly labeled. However, the examination of the engine, accessories, and the other fuel system components revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. As a result, the reason for the partial loss of engine power and the engine’s rough operation could not be determined.
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 engine power (partial) during takeoff
- Unknown or undetermined during unknown defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 26, 3,800 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 20,000 ft; a few clouds at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 36°F (2°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.54 inHg
- Observation at 12:53 pm from PAAQ, 6 miles away
Weather report (METAR): PAAQ 272153Z 00000KT 10SM FEW050 BKN200 02/M03 A2954 RMK AO2 SLP006 T00171028
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on August 23, 2023. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Wreckage Examination Summary | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N99640 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.