Piper PA-18-150 accident near Lakecreek River, Alaska, June 17, 1986
On June 17, 1986 at about 6:50 am local time, a Piper PA-18-150, registered N83377, was destroyed in an accident near Lakecreek River, Alaska. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 17, 1986 · about 6:50 am local time
- Place
- Lakecreek River, Alaska
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-18-150 · all PA-18-150s on the register
- Registration
- N83377 · no longer on the register · serial 18-7609104
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
ACCORDING TO A WITNESS ON THE GROUND, THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND LANDED FROM WEST TO EAST AND AFTER UNLOADING THE SUPPLIES DECIDED TO TAKEOFF IN THE SAME DIRECTION. THE PILOT TAXIED DOWN TO THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND UPON TURNING AROUND THE WITNESS STATED THE TAIL OF THE AIRPLANE CAME OFF THE GROUND DURING THE TURN. THE WITNESS FURTHER STATED THAT THE END OF THE RUNWAY WAS MARKED WITH A TARP THAT WAS HELD DOWN WITH ROCKS PLACED UPON ITS CORNERS. AS THE AIRPLANE STARTED ITS TAKEOFF ROLL, THE WITNESS NOTICED THE TARP WRAPPED AROUND THE RIGHT SECTION OF THE TAIL OF THE AIRPLANE. THE WITNESS RAN OUT TO THE RUNWAY WAVING HIS ARMS BUT THE PILOT DID NOT SEE HIM. THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND DID NOT GAIN ANY ALTITUDE. THE RIGHT WING STRUCK A TREE AND IT CARTWHEELED INTO THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE WAS ON FIRE BEFORE THE WITNESS REACHED THE ACCIDENT SITE.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,500 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,625 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-A2A (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Destination: MRI Anchorage AK
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.