# NTSB ANC00LA069: de Havilland DHC-2, N7283, Levelock, AK, June 14, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 13, 2000, 17:30 local (Jun 14, 2000, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Levelock, AK - Coordinates: 59.289398, -156.650634 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.2894&lon=-156.6506&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 7 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 30, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 50967 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC00LA069 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50967/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA069 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff run. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's diverted attention while retracting the water rudders. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: N7283 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: de Havilland DHC-2 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 725 - Airframe hours: 16642 - Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Alaska Rainbow Lodge - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 2, 2000, 30 hours before - Destination: KVICHAK RIVER, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 19,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 19,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 5 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20000614042569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000614042569A), Jun 14, 2000: Dhav DHC2*, Levelock, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) Loss of directional control during a river takeoff gusty wind conditions. Aircraft hit bank and received substantial damage. From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.