ANC00LA069

The pilot was taking off from a narrow river. He stated that he initially kept the water rudders extended during the downriver takeoff for steerage. He indicated that when the airplane came up on step, it swerved left toward the shallow water, and he did not have time to avoid striking the riverbank. He stated that the swerve was likely caused by a wind gust from the left, or dragging the left float on the shallow river bottom. Five of the six passengers aboard provided written statements to the NTSB. Three of the five reported the wind conditions were calm at the time of the accident. The remaining two passengers did not mention the wind conditions. All five of the passengers noted the airplane veered to the left, towards the riverbank, when the pilot diverted his attention and lowered his head to retract the water rudders.

On June 13, 2000, about 1730 Alaska daylight time, a DeHavilland DHC-2 float equipped airplane, N7283, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from the American River, about 12 miles east of Levelock, Alaska, at 58 degrees, 56 minutes north latitude, 156 degrees, 36 minutes west longitude. The airline transport pilot, and the six passengers on board, received no injuries. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 by Alaska Rainbow Lodge, Inc. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a company flight plan was filed.

The pilot told the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC), during a telephone interview on June 21, that there was a 15 knot gusting wind from about 080 degrees, and he was taking off heading about 140 degrees. He described the river as narrow, and shallow on the left side. He stated that he initially kept the water rudders extended during the downriver takeoff for steerage. The pilot indicated that when the airplane came up on step, it swerved left toward the shallow water, and he did not have time to avoid striking the riverbank. He stated that the swerve was likely caused by a wind gust from the left, or dragging the left float on the shallow river bottom. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left float attach fittings, and the left wing rear spar.

Five of the six passengers aboard responded to requests by the NTSB IIC to provide written statements about the accident scenario. Three of the five passengers indicated that the wind conditions were calm at the time of the accident. The other two passengers did not note the wind conditions. All five of the respondents indicated that the swerve to the left, toward the bank, occurred as the pilot lowered his head to retract the water rudders.

The pilot was hired by the lodge two weeks prior to the accident. He had accrued about 40 hours in the DHC-2 since being hired, and had been to the landing site one previous time.