De Havilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A) N9RW

Summary

On 28 June 2010 at about 01:30 local time, a De Havilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A) registered N9RW, operated by Branham Adventures Inc., was involved in an accident near Igiugig, Alaska, United States. 7 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 June 2010 at 01:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Igiugig, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

59.1400, -155.5550

Aircraft

De Havilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A)

Registration

N9RW

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Branham Adventures Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Igiugig → Igiugig

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC10CA054

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's decision to use only a portion of the available takeoff area, which resulted in a collision with terrain during takeoff.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was taking off on a passenger flight in conjunction with a remote lodge operation under Title 14, CFR Part 91. The pilot said he picked up passengers in the float-equipped airplane on a beach, and water-taxied out into the lake for takeoff. He said he taxied out about 1,200 feet, reversed course into the wind, and initiated a takeoff. He said when the airplane reached his predetermined abort point, the airplane was still on the water, and might not lift off in time to avoid the terrain ahead. The pilot said rather than abort the takeoff he elected to apply full power and continue the takeoff. He said the airplane collided with the bank, and nosed over. The pilot said there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The owner of the company said the lake was about 1 mile wide where the pilot elected to takeoff. He said the airplane received substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. He also said the passengers related to him that the engine sounded fine, but they did not think the pilot taxied out very far into the lake.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.