Piper PA18 accident near Larimore, North Dakota, July 24, 2021
On July 24, 2021 at about 12:15 pm local time, a 1976 Piper PA18, registered N83411, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Larimore, North Dakota (Larimore Municipal airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s loss of control during the initial climb for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 24, 2021 · about 12:15 pm local time
- Place
- Larimore, North Dakota · Larimore Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA18 150, built 1976 · all PA18s on the register
- Registration
- N83411 · registry record · serial 18-7609122
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the airplane began turning left immediately after takeoff and did not seem to be responding to his control inputs. His attempts to maintain control were not successful and the airplane climb rate was deteriorating with the engine at full power. He recalled attempting to “pull back” as the airplane impacted the trees. The airplane sustained damage to the fuselage and both wings. A postaccident examination confirmed flight control continuity with no evidence of a preimpact flight control anomaly.
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 takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,169 hours in all; 41 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 1,022 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 6, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,507 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 7, 2020; 11 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,750 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2B (piston); 3,588 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 2L1 Larimore ND at 12:15 pm
- Destination: 4V4 Northwood ND
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 30, 2,914 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 6:56 am from RDR, 10 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
4 documents, released by the NTSB on December 29, 2022. 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Conversation Summary -- FAA Inspector | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Accident Photos | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Airplane Maintenance Records | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.