Piper PA-18A accident near Coldfoot, Alaska, August 6, 1987
On August 6, 1987 at about 1:35 am local time, a Piper PA-18A, registered N7479D, was destroyed in an accident near Coldfoot, Alaska. It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
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
- August 6, 1987 · about 1:35 am local time
- Place
- Coldfoot, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-18A · all PA-18As on the register
- Registration
- N7479D · no longer on the register · serial 18-5814
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT HAD UNSUCCESSFULLY ATTEMPTED TO FLY THROUGH ATIGUN PASS EARLIER IN THE DAY. EVEN THOUGH THE PASS WAS CLOSED DUE TO FOG AND CLOUD COVER, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO FLY THROUGH THE PASS A SECOND TIME. THE AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE WAS LOCATEDIN ATIGUN PASS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OVER GROSS WEIGHT AND EXCEEDED THE REAR CENTER OF GRAVITY LIMIT. THE PILOT WAS NOT WEARING REQUIRED CORRECTIVE LENSES AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT HAD BEEN ADVISED BY MEDICAL PERSONNEL THAT HE HAD ARTERIAL DISEASE AND OPEN HEART SURGERY WAS RECOMMENDED. THE PILOT DID NOT PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION TO THE AME WHEN OBTAINING HIS MEDICAL CERTIFICATE.
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: 1,100 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,750 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PPC Prospect Creek AK at 7:15 pm
- Destination: Hula Hula River AK
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Sky: not recorded
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°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.