De Havilland DHC-2 N24BR

Summary

On 19 September 2022 at about 02:30 local time, a De Havilland DHC-2 registered N24BR, operated by Branch River Air Service Inc., was involved in an accident near Egegik, Alaska, United States. 3 people were on board and 2 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

19 September 2022 at 02:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Egegik, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

57.8724, -155.8294

Aircraft

De Havilland DHC-2

Registration

N24BR

Category

Airplane

Year built

1953

Engines

1

Operator

Branch River Air Service Inc.

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → King Salmon

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC22LA078

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot’s loss of control during takeoff in gusting wind conditions.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was departing from a lake in a float-equipped airplane with passengers and hunting gear. He stated that the departure plan was to get the airplane on step into the wind, and then turn lengthwise and depart with a crosswind. During the takeoff run, the airplane “used a fair amount of water on step” before a gust of wind lifted the right wing. In an effort to correct for the gust, the pilot lowered the wing and added power, but the airplane was too close to the bank of the lake, which resulted in an impact with terrain and substantial damage to the fuselage, right wing and tail. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. In the recommendation section of NTSB Form 6120.1, the pilot stated that a step turn departure may have been more appropriate.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.