Piper PA-18-135 accident near Willow, AK
On May 14, 2010, a Piper PA-18-135 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Willow, AK. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- May 14, 2010
- Place
- Willow, AK
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-18-135 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 61.912°N, 150.083°W
- NTSB ID
- 20100515X05646
Official records · ANC10FA038
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On May 14, 2010, about 1400 Alaska daylight time, tailwheel-equipped Piper PA-18-135 airplane, N1123, sustained substantial damage when it struck a tree in-flight, about 12 miles north of Willow, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) local flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo commercial pilot died as a result of the accident. The airplane departed a private airport about 3 miles south of the accident site, about 1350. No flight plan or flight following procedures were in effect. During an interview with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on May 14, a manager for a state operated RV park said he was in his office at the park working, when he heard an airplane approaching the park. He said due to the park's location along a large river, airplanes frequently pass by at a low altitude. He said he walked outside onto the deck in the front of his office, and saw the airplane approaching the park from the south at a low altitude over the river. He said when the airplane reached the southern perimeter of the park along the river's edge, it altered course and headed straight toward the office. The manager said as it approached, he realized it was not going to clear a tree located about 100 feet in front of his office. He said he thought the airplane would alter course, but it did not, and struck the tree with its left wing. He said he thought the wing was going to come off, but it didn't, and the airplane passed overhead and impacted in a wood
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree due to the effects of impairment from alcohol consumption.
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Browse: Alaska · Piper aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
