N49GB

On August 26, 2004, about 1250 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped de Havilland DHC-2 airplane, N49GB, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a river bank during the takeoff run on a remote river, about 70 miles northwest of Kodiak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country business flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by Alaska's Wilderness Lodge Inc., Port Alsworth, Alaska. The airline transport certificated pilot and the five passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight was en route to the operator's lodge at Port Alsworth, Alaska.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on August 26, the pilot reported that he was departing down-river with Alaska's Wilderness Lodge clients from the Big River, located along the coast of the Alaska Peninsula, in the Katmai National Park. The pilot said that the river was about 150 feet wide, and during the takeoff run along a curved section of the river, the airplane was on-step, accelerating toward the mouth of the river, when the floats of the airplane collided with a sand river bank. The airplane continued onto the tidal beach area of the river, and received damage to the fuselage, propeller, and the right wing. The pilot notified the lodge of the accident via satellite telephone, and the passengers were retrieved by another lodge airplane and a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter from Air Station Kodiak.

In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) submitted by the pilot, the pilot indicated that during the takeoff run, the aircraft would not accelerate and he lost directional control. He reported that there was insufficient distance remaining to stop the airplane before hitting the river bank.