De Havilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A) N302BL

Summary

On 13 July 2023 at about 00:30 local time, a De Havilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A) registered N302BL, operated by Bristol Bay Lodge, was involved in an accident near Twin Hills, Alaska, United States. 5 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured, 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

13 July 2023 at 00:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Twin Hills, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

58.9268, -160.1748

Aircraft

De Havilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A)

Registration

N302BL

Category

Airplane

Year built

1954

Engines

1

Operator

Bristol Bay Lodge

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Dillingham

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC23LA054

2 people were seriously injured.

The pilot’s loss of control during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that moments after takeoff from a lake he heard a loud bang, and the airplane impacted the water. The passengers stated that after takeoff there was a sound similar to a cable snap or a hammer hitting metal. The airplane made a hard left turn, and the left wing impacted the water. Postaccident examination of the engine and airframe revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane came to rest fragmented in a lake and the floats were not recovered; therefore, the fly wires and floats could not be examined, and the reason for the loss of control could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.