Amateur-built CHIPPER CH-2A accident near Alva, Oklahoma, June 21, 2026
On June 21, 2026 at about 2:30 pm local time, a 2018 amateur-built CHIPPER CH-2A, registered N618SA, was substantially damaged in an accident during taxi near Alva, Oklahoma (Alva Regional airport). It was a personal 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 pilot's decision to taxi the tailwheel-equipped airplane over uneven terrain while operating with limited forward visibility, which resulted in the left main landing gear entering a hole.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 21, 2026 · about 2:30 pm local time
- Place
- Alva, Oklahoma · Alva Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built CHIPPER CH-2A, built 2018
- Registration
- N618SA · registry record · serial 019
- 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 he landed the tailwheel-equipped airplane in a grassy area between the paved runway and taxiway, which he stated is common practice at the airport. After touchdown, the airplane’s tailwheel settled to the surface, reducing the pilot’s forward visibility. The pilot continued straight ahead before initiating a left turn to a service road. Before reaching the service road, the left main landing gear entered a hole in the uneven terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the lower fuselage. The pilot's decision to continue taxiing with limited forward visibility over uneven terrain prevented him from detecting and avoiding the hole. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Landing gear collapse during taxi (from runway)
- Loss of visual reference during taxi defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Rough terrain › Awareness of condition
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Identification/recognition › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 235.1 hours in all; 3.1 in this make and model; 9.7 in the last 90 days; 2.2 in the last 30 days; 169.8 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 4, 2026
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 16 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, April 29, 2026; 16.1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,275 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Aeromomentum AM/13 (piston); 16 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Kiowa KS at 2:10 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18/3, 2,100 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.74 inHg
- Observation at 9:35 am from KAVK
Weather report (METAR): METAR KAVK 211435Z AUTO 12018KT 10SM CLR 26/18 A2974 RMK A01
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 2 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on September 17, 2026. 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, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | 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.