N645DT – Piper PA18 – 2019-10-13 NTSB Accident Report

On October 13, 2019, a Piper PA18 (N645DT) was involved in an incident near Moose Pass, AK. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's improper approach, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from a tree while landing in dusk conditions, and his subsequent loss of directional control, which resulted in a runway excursion.

The pilot was attempting to land at a remote airstrip in fading light conditions. Just before touchdown the left wing impacted a tree and the airplane exited the runway sustaining substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations.

In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot stated that the accident may have been prevented if he had flown a steeper final approach or had more daylight.

This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC20CA006. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N645DT.