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ANC25LA066

2025-06-28 · Chenega, Alaska, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Current FAA registration · N55PT

Make / Model
PIPER PA-18-135
Year of manufacture
1953 · 72 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19560503
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A6FE69

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting and variable wind conditions.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during landing, the airplane encountered a wind shift. He subsequently lost directional control, and the airplane’s left wing struck a tree. The airplane then veered off the intended landing area and impacted several additional trees, resulting in substantial damage to both wings and the lift struts. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Variable wind-Effect on operation
  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Effect on operation
  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Effect on operation
  • — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained
  • — Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2025_ANC25LA066.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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