Summary
On September 24, 2018, a De Havilland DHC 2 MK. I(L20A) (N9RW) was involved in an accident near Kukaklek Lake, AK. The accident resulted in 2 minor injuries, with 5 people uninjured out of 7 aboard. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot’s failure to see and avoid a sand bar during a water takeoff, which resulted in the airplane impacting a river bank.
The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that, during landing on a river to pick up passengers, he observed that the river was low, and sand bars were visible. During takeoff, the left float contacted a sand bar in shallow water and the airplane impacted the river bank.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
This accident is documented in NTSB report GAA18CA581. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N9RW.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s failure to see and avoid a sand bar during a water takeoff, which resulted in the airplane impacting a river bank.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that, during landing on a river to pick up passengers, he observed that the river was low, and sand bars were visible. During takeoff, the left float contacted a sand bar in shallow water and the airplane impacted the river bank.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA18CA581