Accident Details
On July 25, 2025, about 0916 Alaska daylight time, a Piper J3C-65 airplane, registration N5050R, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Dillingham, Alaska. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Sequence of Events
According to witnesses, shortly after performing a touch-and-go landing on the gravel surface adjacent to Runway 19 at the Dillingham Airport, the airplane climbed to an altitude of about 200 ft above the runway. At that point, the engine experienced a momentary loss of power, followed by an engine restart. The nose of the airplane then pitched up, the aircraft slowed, and the left wing stalled, resulting in an uncontrolled, nose-down, vertical descent. During the descent, the airplane engine reportedly experienced another loss of power.
Damage and Investigation
The airplane impacted the runway approximately 680 feet northeast of the departure end of Runway 19 and came to rest inverted. The fuselage and wings sustained substantial damage. A witness captured a portion of the accident sequence on a cell phone video. The wreckage has been moved to a secure location, and a detailed NTSB examination is pending.