No fatalities

Piper PA 18 125 accident at Fairbanks, AK, 27 Jul 2020

Fairbanks, AK, United States

On July 27, 2020, a Piper PA 18 125 was involved in an aviation accident near Fairbanks, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's improper decision to depart from an off-airport surface that had standing water, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain. 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 improper decision to depart from an off-airport surface that had standing water, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

PilotAbility to respond/compensate

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 27 Jul 2020 Piper PA 18 125 accident near Fairbanks, AK?

The pilot's improper decision to depart from an off-airport surface that had standing water, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.

Were there any fatalities in the 27 Jul 2020 Piper PA 18 125 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 27 Jul 2020 involved a Piper PA 18 125, at Fairbanks, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's improper decision to depart from an off-airport surface that had standing water, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.