ANC04LA113

The commercial certificated pilot, with six passengers, was departing from a remote beach in a twin-engine airplane on an on-demand air taxi flight. The beach was oriented north/south, and was utilized by airplanes transporting guests to and from a remote wilderness lodge. Weather conditions at the beach were reported to air taxi operators via satellite phone. The pilot reported that as he was departing toward the north, the wind was from the west about 30 knots, with gusts to 50 knots. About 20 feet agl, a strong gust of wind, or a downdraft, hit the airplane. The airplane descended and the left wing collided with the beach, which spun the airplane 180 degrees. The airplane came to rest in about 2 1/2 feet of water.

On September 23, 2004, about 1100 Alaska daylight time, a Britten-Norman BN-2A airplane, N6522T, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain during takeoff initial climb from a remote beach area near Hallo Bay, Alaska, about 65 miles northwest of Kodiak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country air taxi flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by Homer Air Inc., Homer, Alaska. The commercial certificated pilot and one passenger received minor injuries; two passengers received serious injuries, and the remaining three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed to Homer. The flight originated from a beach area located along the Alaska Peninsula, about 100 miles southwest of Homer.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on September 23, the director of operations for the operator reported that the twin-engine airplane was departing Hallo Bay, Alaska, where a remote wilderness lodge is located. The takeoff area on the beach is oriented north/south. The director of operations said that the pilot began the takeoff with gusty wind conditions blowing about 20 knots from the west. He said that the airplane encountered windshear and descended to the beach, and came to rest partially in the ocean tidal area. The right wing was torn off the airplane, and the fuselage was torn open. The director of operations indicated that Hallo Bay Wilderness Lodge personnel provide weather reports via satellite phone for the landing/takeoff area.

In the Pilot/Operator Accident Report, (NTSB Form 6120.1) submitted by the pilot, the pilot reported that when he departed Homer about 0930, the wind as reported by lodge personnel was from the west about 20 knots. When he arrived at the lodge about 1040, the wind was from the west about 30 knots, with gusts to 50 knots. As he was departing from the beach, the pilot indicated that about 20 feet agl, a strong gust of wind, or a downdraft, hit the airplane. The airplane descended and the left wing collided with the beach, which spun the airplane 180 degrees. The pilot said the airplane came to rest in about 2 1/2 feet of water.

Search and rescue personnel from the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station, Kodiak, responded to the accident site, and transported all of the occupants to the hospital in Kodiak.