20010916031959A

(-23) The pilot stated that he did not know the aircraft had sustained any damage to the tail section of the aircraft until he landed in Coldfoot on sept 16, 2001, and inspected the exterior of the aircraft. At that time the pilot noticed the tail wheel area had sustained damage to the aircraft. (.19) on September 16, 2001, about 1230 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Dehavilland DHC-2 airplane, N5343G, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from a remote area, about 65 miles northeast of arctic village, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight under title 14, CFR part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was registered to coyote air LLC., and operated by the pilot. The airline transport certificated pilot, and the one passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. During a telephone conversation with the national transportation safety board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (iic), on December 5, 2001, the pilot reported he flew to a remote gravel bar located along the coleen river to pick up a friend who was rafting in the area. The pilot said he was departing toward the north fr om an area that was about 1,000 feet long. During the takeoff roll, the tailwheel struck a large rock. He continued the takeoff and landed at Coldfoot, Alaska. A postaccident examination of the tailwheel area on December 5, revealed damage to a fuselage bulkhead and stringers near the tailwheel attach point.