Piper PA18 N645DT

Summary

On 13 October 2019 at about 01:45 local time, a Piper PA18 registered N645DT was involved in an accident near Moose Pass, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

13 October 2019 at 01:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Moose Pass, Alaska, United States

Nearest airport

Private (PVT)

Coordinates

60.5167, -149.5000

Aircraft

Piper PA18

Registration

N645DT

Category

Airplane

Year built

1982

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Anchorage → Moose Pass

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

ANC20CA006

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's improper approach, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from a tree while landing in dusk conditions, and his subsequent loss of directional control, which resulted in a runway excursion.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was attempting to land at a remote airstrip in fading light conditions. Just before touchdown, the left wing impacted a tree, and after touchdown, the airplane exited the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot stated that the accident might have been prevented if he had flown a steeper final approach or had more daylight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.