No fatalities

Piper PA22 150 accident at Lake Louise, AK, 22 Aug 2020

Lake Louise, AK, United States

On August 22, 2020, a Piper PA22 150 was involved in an aviation accident near Lake Louise, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s decision to takeoff in shifting winds from a remote unimproved gravel bar, which resulted in a failure to attain an airspeed suitable for flight and a loss of control. 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 decision to takeoff in shifting winds from a remote unimproved gravel bar, which resulted in a failure to attain an airspeed suitable for flight and a loss of control.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

Causes

Airspeed — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Other contributing factors

Effect on operation

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 22 Aug 2020 Piper PA22 150 accident near Lake Louise, AK?

The pilot’s decision to takeoff in shifting winds from a remote unimproved gravel bar, which resulted in a failure to attain an airspeed suitable for flight and a loss of control.

Were there any fatalities in the 22 Aug 2020 Piper PA22 150 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 22 Aug 2020 involved a Piper PA22 150, at Lake Louise, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot’s decision to takeoff in shifting winds from a remote unimproved gravel bar, which resulted in a failure to attain an airspeed suitable for flight and a loss of control.