On 5 Sep 2012, a PIPER PA-18-150 operated by BIERI MICHAEL J was involved in an aviation accident near Ekwok, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's loss of attention to the flight path during the initial climb led to the collision with trees. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A float-equipped aircraft struck trees during its initial climb after the pilot became distracted by the aircraft's water rudders.
On September 5, 2012, a Piper PA-18-150 was performing a takeoff from near a river bank in Ekwok, Alaska. During the initial climb phase, the pilot became distracted by the aircraft's water rudders and looked inside the cockpit. This moment of inattention caused the aircraft, registration N4127Z, to turn toward the river bank, where it subsequently impacted trees. The accident resulted in one minor injury and no fatalities.
The pilot's loss of attention to the flight path during the initial climb led to the collision with trees.