Location: Willow, Alaska
Accident Number: ANC22LA004
Date and Time: October 23, 2021, 18:25 Local
Registration: N368G
Aircraft: GREGG ORIGER PA-18 REPLICA
Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
On October 23, 2021, about 1825 Alaska daylight time, a Gregg Origer PA-18 Replica airplane, N368G sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident about 2 miles south of Willow, Alaska. The pilot was fatally injured, and the passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
The pilot had departed from Anderson Lake Airport (0AK1), Wasilla, Alaska and was returning to Minuteman Strip Airport (AK68), Willow, Alaska when the accident occurred. A witness located about .30 nautical miles to the southeast observed the airplane fly over his location and reported that the engine appeared to be at a low power setting, as it was fairly quiet, which he thought was unusual.
Subsequently, the airplane made a turn and disappeared from view. He then heard an increase in engine power followed by the sound of an impact. He and another Good Samaritan responded to the scene to render aid. He stated that at no point did he hear any unusual sounds from the airplane and the engine appeared to be operating normally.
The airplane impacted in a near vertical attitude at an elevation of about 274 ft. All the airplane’s major components were located at the main accident site.
A detailed wreckage examination is pending.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: GREGG ORIGER
Registration: N368G
Model/Series: PA-18 REPLICA
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: Yes
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: PAWS,354 ft msl
Observation Time: 18:56 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 17 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 7°C /-2°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 7 knots / , 50°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.12 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Wasilla , AK
Destination: Willow, AK
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 61.718812,-150.05409
WILLOW, Alaska - A small plane crash at a private air strip in Willow sent two people on board to the hospital on Saturday.
The crash, according to Matanuska-Susitna Borough Department of Emergency Services Director Ken Barkley, happened just after 6 p.m. Saturday at a private air strip at the end of Winter Park Road.
No fire was caused as a result of the crash and Mat-Su Borough Emergency Services were able to transport both crash victims to separate hospitals for care.
A relative near the scene told Alaska’s News Source his parents were the only people on the plane, flown by his father. The pilot took the brunt of the injuries, the relative said, and was taken to Providence Alaska Medical Center. His mother went to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.
Troopers confirmed that the passenger is currently receiving care in the Mat-Su. The pilot is in critical condition in Anchorage.
National Transportation Safety Board Chief for the Alaska Region Clint Johnson said on Sunday that an NTSB investigation has begun. Johnson said the Javron PA-18 Replica that crashed was an experimental kit built. Johnson reported that Federal Aviation Administration personnel were on scene in Willow to document the wreckage site and relocate the aircraft as part of the investigation.
“This is what they refer to as a Cub replica, so it is a kit-built airplane,” Johnson said. “We don’t know a lot beyond that at this point.”
Johnson said that Senior Aviation Accident Investigator Brice Banning would be the investigator in charge for the follow up investigation as to what caused the experimental aircraft to crash with two people inside.