Casualties unknown

Precautionary Landing on Uphill Field Ends with Aircraft Inverted After Striking Fences (N3565L)

Tillamook, OR, US

On September 18, 1986, a Great Lakes 2T-1A-2 (registration N3565L) was involved in an aviation accident near Tillamook, OR. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot executed a precautionary landing on an uphill field due to low fuel, poor visibility, and darkness. The aircraft struck a swale, fences, and a ditch, collapsing both main landing gear and rolling inverted.

Circumstances Leading to the Landing

The pilot decided to perform a precautionary landing on a field after encountering low fuel conditions. Additionally, the ceiling and visibility were decreasing, darkness was setting in, and the pilot was uncertain of the exact position. These factors prompted the decision to land away from an aerodrome.

Landing and Sequence of Events

The landing was conducted on an uphill sloping field with a slight tail wind. Upon touchdown, the aircraft struck a swale (a shallow depression in the terrain), causing it to become briefly airborne again. When it contacted the ground a second time, it collided with a fence. The aircraft continued through that fence, rolled across the field, and struck another fence. It then traversed a ditch, which resulted in the collapse of both main landing gear. Subsequently, the aircraft rolled over and came to rest inverted.

Post-Event Status

The aircraft ended up inverted after the series of impacts. No information is provided regarding injuries, damage to components beyond the collapsed gear, or the specific model of the aircraft involved.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 18 Sept 1986 Great Lakes 2T-1A-2 accident near Tillamook, OR?

A pilot executed a precautionary landing on an uphill field due to low fuel, poor visibility, and darkness. The aircraft struck a swale, fences, and a ditch, collapsing both main landing gear and rolling inverted.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 18 Sept 1986 involved a Great Lakes 2T-1A-2, registration N3565L, at Tillamook, OR.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X34886. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.