ANC04LA010

During an on-demand air taxi flight, the airline transport certificated pilot was preparing to land an amphibious float-equipped airplane near a cabin that was located on the shore of a coastal bay. A 10 to 15 knot wind was blowing from the bay toward the land, and the pilot decided to approach over land. As the airplane descended over a small creek bed, adjacent to a hill, the airplane encountered a downdraft, and descended rapidly. The left wing collided with alder trees which spun the airplane 180 degrees. The right wing and float assembly were torn off the airplane. The closest official weather observation station, located 30 miles away, was reporting calm wind.

On November 29, 2003, about 0935 Alaska standard time, an amphibious float-equipped deHavilland DHC-2 airplane, N13VF, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain during the final approach phase of landing at Viekoda Bay, about 30 miles west-southwest of Kodiak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) on-demand passenger flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by Andrew Airways Inc., Kodiak. The airline transport certificated pilot, and the two passengers, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company VFR flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the Kodiak Airport about 0915.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on November 29, the director of operations for the operator reported that the pilot was preparing to land near a cabin at Viekoda Bay, located on the west side of Kodiak Island. The director of operations said that a 10 to 15 knot wind was blowing from the bay toward the land, and the pilot decided to approach over land. The pilot told the director of operations that as the airplane descended over a small creek bed, adjacent to a hill, the airplane encountered a downdraft, and descended rapidly. The left wing collided with alder trees which spun the airplane 180 degrees. The right wing and float assembly were torn off the airplane.

The closest official weather observation station, located on the east side of the island, is Kodiak. At 0853, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) was reporting in part: Wind, calm; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, clear; temperature, 27 degrees F; dew point, 16 degrees F; altimeter, 29.73 inHg.