Summary
On September 22, 2019, a De Havilland BEAVER DHC 2 (N77KZ) was involved in an incident near Mountain Village, AK. All 3 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 improper takeoff configuration due to distraction, which resulted in the airplane’s failure to become airborne and its subsequent collision with rising terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to use the Before Takeoff checklist.
The pilot in the float-equipped airplane reported that, he did not extend the flaps before he accelerated for takeoff. Shortly after coming on step, "I rolled the ailerons to the left and applied back pressure to the yoke to become airborne." However, the airplane did not become airborne before the floats struck the tundra, the airplane bounced and skidded to a stop, upright.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left elevator.
The pilot reported that he had not maintained a sterile cockpit during takeoff, and he failed to complete the Before Takeoff Checklist.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA19CA563. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N77KZ.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's improper takeoff configuration due to distraction, which resulted in the airplane’s failure to become airborne and its subsequent collision with rising terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to use the Before Takeoff checklist.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot in the float-equipped airplane reported that, he did not extend the flaps before he accelerated for takeoff. Shortly after coming on step, "I rolled the ailerons to the left and applied back pressure to the yoke to become airborne." However, the airplane did not become airborne before the floats struck the tundra, the airplane bounced and skidded to a stop, upright.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left elevator.
The pilot reported that he had not maintained a sterile cockpit during takeoff, and he failed to complete the Before Takeoff Checklist.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures 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# GAA19CA563