Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-18-150 near Mekoryuk, AK — 2026-07-07

Investigation ongoingANC26LA069
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Date
2026-07-07
Location
Mekoryuk, AK, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA-18-150
Registration
N824JT
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

NTSB has not published a probable cause for this accident yet. Preliminary reports describe what happened; the cause is determined later, often 12–24 months after the event.

NTSB narrative

On July 7, 2026 about 1430 Alaska daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150 airplane, N824JT, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Mekoryuk, Alaska. The pilot and one passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135, on-demand charter flight. The airplane, owned and operated by Renfro’s Alaskan Adventures, departed from the Mekoryuk airport (MYU) at 1321 to conduct aerial game surveys for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. About 1 hour and 10 minutes into the flight, about 200 ft. above the ground (agl) the engine began to run rough. The pilot applied carburetor heat, switched the fuel selector to both and began using different power settings. The engine initially began to run normally but subsequently loss partial power. The pilot elected to make a precautionary landing to the tundra, but while on final approach, all engine power was lost. The airplane touched down wings level and a slight nose up pitch. The landing gear separated from the fuselage and the airplane slid to a stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. A wreckage examination is pending recovery of the wreckage.

Preliminary NTSB coding

  • Loss of engine power (total) · Enroute
  • Engine Failure Enroute
View NTSB preliminary report

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