De Havilland DHC-2 N24BR

Summary

On 7 October 2007 at about 21:00 local time, a De Havilland DHC-2 registered N24BR, operated by Branch River Air, was involved in an accident near King Salmon, Alaska, United States. 3 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 October 2007 at 21:00

Classification

Accident

Location

King Salmon, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

57.9381, -156.0550

Aircraft

De Havilland DHC-2

Registration

N24BR

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Branch River Air

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

King Salmon → King Salmon

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC08CA002

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's inadequate compensation for gusty wind conditions during the final approach to land, which resulted in the airplane colliding with terrain. A factor contributing to the accident was the gusty wind.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial certificated pilot was conducting an off airport landing with passengers under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The pilot reported that he was on short final, 8-10 feet above the ground, when a "gust or something" lifted the right wing 50-60 degrees above horizontal, and the left wing struck the ground. He said he was able to level the wings, but the airplane touched down while drifting to the left. He reported that the airplane skidded forward about 50 feet and nosed over. The airplane sustained damage to the left wingtip, the left wing aft attach point, and the right landing gear attach point. The pilot reported the wind was from 300 degrees, at 25 knots, with gusts to 30 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.