Casualties unknown

Airplane Inverts After Aborted Landing on Gravel Runway (N4418Z)

Seldovia, AK, US

On April 29, 2000, a Piper PA-18 (registration N4418Z) was involved in an aviation accident near Seldovia, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. A factor in the accident was an inadvertent ground swerve. 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

A commercial pilot aborted a landing on a gravel runway after wind gusts caused directional control loss. The airplane veered into a tidal slough and inverted in five feet of water; both occupants escaped.

Accident Details

A commercial certificated pilot was landing a tundra tire equipped airplane on a gravel runway. The winds were light and variable. According to the pilot, during the landing roll, just before the tailwheel touched the runway, a wind gust pushed the tail of the airplane to the right. A second gust then pushed the tail to the left. The pilot reported being unable to fully control the direction of the airplane and decided to add engine power and abort the landing.

The airplane veered to the left, and the left main wheel contacted the surface of a tidal slough. Subsequently, the right wing struck the surface of the slough, and the airplane inverted in approximately five feet of water.

Pilot Statement

The pilot stated that both occupants of the airplane exited from underwater.

Aircraft Damage

The airplane received damage to both wings and the propeller.

No additional details were provided in the investigation source.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X20756. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.