Summary
On July 09, 1994, a De Havilland DHC-2 (N2297R) was involved in an incident near Nondalton, AK. All 6 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 INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITION. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GUSTY WIND CONDITION.
On July 09, 1994, at 1215 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped deHavilland DHC-2 airplane, N2297R, operated by Air Adventures of Kenai, Alaska, crashed during takeoff from Alexi Lake, located approximately 5 miles east of Nondalton, Alaska. The commercial certificated pilot-in-command and his five revenue passengers were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The on demand air taxi VFR flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 135, for the purpose of transporting a game guide and his clients to Nikiski, Alaska. Visual meteorological conditions existed and a company VFR flight plan was in effect.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC94LA079. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N2297R.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITION. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GUSTY WIND CONDITION.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On July 09, 1994, at 1215 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped deHavilland DHC-2 airplane, N2297R, operated by Air Adventures of Kenai, Alaska, crashed during takeoff from Alexi Lake, located approximately 5 miles east of Nondalton, Alaska. The commercial certificated pilot-in-command and his five revenue passengers were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The on demand air taxi VFR flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 135, for the purpose of transporting a game guide and his clients to Nikiski, Alaska. Visual meteorological conditions existed and a company VFR flight plan was in effect.
During a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on July 11, 1994, the pilot said that he was making a south takeoff in rain (drizzle) with the wind blowing from 180 degrees at 25 knots with gust to 35 knots. As the plane came over the hump onto the step, he decided that the waves were too big so he altered the direction of the takeoff run to the east. The flight subsequently encountered a strong wind from the southeast. A gust of wind lifted the right wing forcing the left wing tip and left elevator into the water.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC94LA079