Casualties unknown

Uncontrollable Roll During Takeoff Results in Cartwheel (N1123)

King Salmon, AK, US

On October 18, 1986, a Piper PA-18-150 (registration N1123) was involved in an aviation accident near King Salmon, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: An uncontrollable right roll about the longitudinal axis immediately after takeoff, which resulted in the right wing contacting the runway and the airplane cartwheeling. 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 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft experienced an uncontrollable right roll immediately after liftoff, striking the runway with its right wing and cartwheeling before coming to rest.

What happened

The pilot was cleared to taxi his airplane into position and hold behind a Cherokee Six. After that aircraft departed, he received clearance for takeoff. Immediately after liftoff at approximately 10 to 15 feet above the runway, the pilot reported that the airplane entered an uncontrollable right roll about its longitudinal axis. The right wing struck the runway surface, causing the airplane to cartwheel.

The investigation

The available source material does not provide specific details regarding mechanical examination or post-accident findings beyond the immediate sequence of events described by the pilot.

Probable cause

An uncontrollable right roll about the longitudinal axis immediately after takeoff, which resulted in the right wing contacting the runway and the airplane cartwheeling.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X34895. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.