Piper PA-18-150 N3995Z

Summary

On 15 August 2023 at about 21:30 local time, a Piper PA-18-150 registered N3995Z was involved in an accident near Tyonek, 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

15 August 2023 at 21:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Tyonek, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

61.4055, -151.7106

Aircraft

Piper PA-18-150

Registration

N3995Z

Category

Airplane

Year built

1963

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Chugiak

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC23LA066

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s encounter with windshear during the initial climb, which resulted in a loss of control.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during climb-out from a remote airstrip, he encountered an abrupt wind shift and windshear. According to the pilot, the airplane was unable to gain altitude and was eventually “forced” into the ground, causing substantial damage to the left wing, left horizontal stabilizer, and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.