Piper PA-18-150 accident near Enumclaw, Washington, May 10, 2025
On May 10, 2025 at about 9:12 pm local time, a 1971 Piper PA-18-150, registered N333TM, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Enumclaw, Washington (Bergseth Field). It was a glider-towing flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. 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
- May 10, 2025 · about 9:12 pm local time
- Place
- Enumclaw, Washington · Bergseth Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-18-150, built 1971 · all PA-18-150s on the register
- Registration
- N333TM · registry record · serial 18-8939
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Glider-towing flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On May 10, 2025, about 1412 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, N333TM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Enumclaw, Washington. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 glider tow flight. The pilot was conducting glider tow operations from Bergseth Field Airport (WN76), Enumclaw, Washington. According to the pilot, he departed WN76 and was conducting turns consistent with the operator’s standard departure procedure, with a glider in tow. At about 200 ft above ground level (agl), and in a left bank, the engine abruptly lost all power. The pilot lowered the airplane’s nose and verified that the fuel selector was positioned on the left fuel tank, carburetor heat was off, throttle was full forward, and magneto switch was on BOTH. The pilot released the glider from its tow and initiated a forced landing to a field about 1 mile northwest of WN76. During the landing, the airplane impacted a fence and subsequently ground looped. The pilot reported that the accident flight was the fourth flight of the day, and that the airplane had started the day’s flights with “slightly less than half tanks on either side.” Prior to the accident takeoff, the left wing fuel tank sight gauge indicated approximately ¼ - ½ full, and the right wing fuel tank indicated approximately ¼ full. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the left wing, both left and right wing lift struts, and fuselage. The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination.
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 (total) during initial climb defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during landing
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,631 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 31, 2025; 20 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,750 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: WN76 Enumclaw WA at 9:12 pm
- Destination: WN76 Enumclaw WA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 7,000 ft; a few clouds at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 2:15 pm from KPLU, 17 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KPLU 102115Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM FEW060 BKN070 17/01 A3003
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.