Casualties unknown

Float-Equipped Airplane Cartwheels and Noses Over During Water Landing (N9668P)

Seward, AK, US

On August 7, 2003, a Piper PA-18 (registration N9668P) was involved in an aviation accident near Seward, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadvertent water loop/swerve during landing roll, which resulted in the airplane nosing over. 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 solo airline transport pilot landing a float-equipped airplane in a remote freshwater bay reported adding left rudder during the landing roll, after which the airplane cartwheeled left, nosed over, and sank in shallow water, sustaining substantial damage.

Accident Details

A solo pilot, holding an airline transport certificate, was landing a float-equipped airplane in a remote, freshwater bay. According to the pilot's account, during the landing roll, he applied a slight amount of left rudder input to straighten the airplane's track on the water. Subsequently, the airplane cartwheeled to the left, nosed over, and came to rest inverted in shallow water.

Aircraft Damage

The accident resulted in substantial damage to the airplane's wings, fuselage, and empennage. The aircraft sank in the shallow water, but the exact extent of damage beyond the reported areas was not specified in the pilot's statement.

Pilot Report

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. No further information regarding the aircraft's make, model, registration, or the operator was provided in the source. The pilot's statement did not include details about injuries or other occupants.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20030912X01532. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.