No fatalities

Piper PA18 150 accident at Sterling, AK, 28 May 2020

Sterling, AK, United States

On May 28, 2020, a Piper PA18 150 was involved in an aviation accident near Sterling, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with trees. 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

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with trees.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

PilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintained

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 28 May 2020 Piper PA18 150 accident near Sterling, AK?

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with trees.

Were there any fatalities in the 28 May 2020 Piper PA18 150 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 28 May 2020 involved a Piper PA18 150, at Sterling, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with trees.