No fatalities

PIPER/GERBI CHARLES R PA 18-150 accident at Juneau, AK, 11 Sept 2023

Juneau, AK, United States

On September 11, 2023, a PIPER/GERBI CHARLES R PA 18-150 was involved in an aviation accident near Juneau, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot’s failure to maintain altitude after the airplane encountered a downdraft while maneuvering over an area of hilly terrain. This summary draws on records from NTSB.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

The student pilot’s failure to maintain altitude after the airplane encountered a downdraft while maneuvering over an area of hilly terrain.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

Student/instructed pilotAltitude — Not attained/maintainedEffect on equipment

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 11 Sept 2023 PIPER/GERBI CHARLES R PA 18-150 accident near Juneau, AK?

The student pilot’s failure to maintain altitude after the airplane encountered a downdraft while maneuvering over an area of hilly terrain.

Were there any fatalities in the 11 Sept 2023 PIPER/GERBI CHARLES R PA 18-150 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 11 Sept 2023 involved a PIPER/GERBI CHARLES R PA 18-150, at Juneau, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The student pilot’s failure to maintain altitude after the airplane encountered a downdraft while maneuvering over an area of hilly terrain.