No fatalities

Tailwheel Airplane Damaged After Right Wheel Entered Hidden Hole at Private Airstrip

Skwentna, AK, United States

On June 17, 2012, a PIPER PA-18-150 operated by BECK JOSEPH S was involved in an aviation accident near Skwentna, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for taxi. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

A tailwheel-equipped airplane sustained substantial damage to its empennage and left elevator after the right wheel dropped into a hidden, vegetation-covered hole while taxiing at a private airstrip.

Incident Overview A pilot landed a tailwheel-equipped airplane at a private airstrip. During taxiing to a parking area, the aircraft's right wheel dropped into a deep hole that was hidden by vegetation and located alongside the runway. The impact caused the airplane to spin around, resulting in substantial damage to the empennage and the left elevator. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. No specific aircraft type, registration, date, operator, or location was provided in the source material. The probable cause was not stated in the source material. The incident involved a tailwheel-equipped airplane, a private airstrip, a hidden hole, and damage to the empennage and left elevator.

Contributing factors

Causes

Pilot

Other contributing factors

Contributed to outcome