Piper PA18 accident near Gilliam Glacier, Alaska, August 12, 2018
On August 12, 2018 at about 10:30 pm local time, a 1959 Piper PA18, registered N9884D, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Gilliam Glacier, Alaska. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper decision to take off in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a loss of control 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
- August 12, 2018 · about 10:30 pm local time
- Place
- Gilliam Glacier, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA18 150, built 1959 · all PA18s on the register
- Registration
- N9884D · registry record · serial 18-6905
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that the weather conditions were "gusty winds with intermittent rain" and that a quartering headwind existed at the airstrip. During initial climb, a wind gust forced the airplane back into ground effect, and another gust forced the airplane back onto the airstrip. The right main landing gear collapsed, the right wing struck the ground, and the airplane came to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the wind was variable at 5 knots, gusting to 22 knots. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented if he had waited for "calmer conditions."
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
- Other weather encounter during initial climb
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
- Landing gear collapse during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 613 hours in all; 575 in this make and model; 51 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 563 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 10, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,553.2 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 27, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 1,750 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E3D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Gilliam Glacier AK
- Destination: FAI Fairbanks AK
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 16 knots, gusting 34
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 13,000 ft; scat at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 29.64 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from PABI, 41 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
2 documents, released by the NTSB on October 17, 2019. 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 | Accident Photo | PDF, 1 page | 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.