No fatalities

PIPER PA-18-105 SPECIAL accident at Palmer, AK, 13 May 2021

Palmer, AK, United States

On May 13, 2021, a PIPER PA-18-105 SPECIAL operated by JOHN H. HOLMAN was involved in an aviation accident near Palmer, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and ground loop. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and ground loop.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedPilotDecision related to conditionEffect on operation

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 13 May 2021 PIPER PA-18-105 SPECIAL accident near Palmer, AK?

The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and ground loop.

Were there any fatalities in the 13 May 2021 PIPER PA-18-105 SPECIAL accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 13 May 2021 involved a PIPER PA-18-105 SPECIAL, operated by JOHN H. HOLMAN, at Palmer, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and ground loop.