The commercial pilot was conducting a personal cross-country flight in the Piper PA-18-150 with a passenger.
After the airplane failed to arrive at the intended destination, an extensive search was launched. The plane was located on a knoll consisting of trees and muskeg near Delta Junction, Alaska, three days after it took off from a private airstrip.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. Both the pilot and passenger died in the crash.
A review of archived weather information for the area about the estimated time of the accident revealed a ceiling between 5,000 feet and 6,000 feet above ground level with forward visibility between 6 and 10 statute miles.
Post-accident examination of the airplane and engine revealed no evidence of pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
Based on the available evidence, the investigation could not determine the exact cause of the accident.
The emergency locator transmitter was found in the “OFF” position, which prevented the beacon from activating and producing an audible signal, and may have contributed to the length of the search.
Probable cause: Undetermined based on the available evidence.
NTSB Identification: ANC18FA050
This June 2018 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
This is what you get for not filing a flight plan
and turning your ELT off
Your statement is a classic piece of completely flawed logic. The report says the 2 died in the crash. Having a flight plan filed and whether the ELT was on or not have nothing to do with the cause of the crash.
NTSB gets a pass, no substantial conclusion, or no real comment…. lololol!
This is a particularly uninformative accident report, analysis, and docket. Basically, it says nothing.
I agree…absolutely uninformative.