# NTSB ANC05LA129: de Havilland Beaver DHC-2 MK.1, N5333G, Aleknagik, AK, August 23, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 22, 2005, 16:30 local (Aug 23, 2005, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Aleknagik, AK - Coordinates: 59.423332, -159.813339 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.4233&lon=-159.8133&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 6 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Anchorage FSDO-03 - NTSB case key (mKey): 62305 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC05LA129 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62305/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05LA129 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control during the takeoff roll, and an encounter with high vegetation and a river bank. Factors associated with the accident are high vegetation and a riverbank. ## 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 - terrain condition - water - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor) ## Analysis The commercial pilot attempted to takeoff downstream on a 14 CFR Part 91 business flight in a float equipped airplane. He stated that as he reached his predetermined point to abort the takeoff if not airborne, he continued the takeoff run because he felt the airplane would liftoff soon. The airplane did not become airborne, and while attempting to negotiate a sharp turn in the river while on-step, the airplane collided with alders and the left riverbank, sustaining structural damage to the wings, fuselage, and floats. ## Factual narrative On August 22, 2005, about 1630 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped de Havilland Beaver DHC-2 MK.1 airplane, N5333G, sustained substantial damage when it encountered terrain during the takeoff roll from the Togiak River, 44 miles west-northwest of Aleknagik, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by the Mission Creek Lodge, Aleknagik, as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country business flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The commercial certificated pilot and five passengers were not injured; a sixth passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company flight following procedures were in effect. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on August 25, the pilot said prior to takeoff he made an assessment of wind and water conditions, and elected to takeoff downstream. He said the airplane accelerated downstream, and was on the step when he reached his no-go decision point. Although it had not reached flying speed, he felt the airplane would fly. He said the airplane continued downstream on the step, but failed to accelerate. The river made an 80-degree right turn, which he entered on the step. He said he intended to complete the turn, and then abort the takeoff. During the turn, the airplane started skidding toward the left bank, and the left wing caught in the alders along the bank. The airplane subsequently impacted the left bank, resulting in structural damage to the wings, floats, and fuselage. The pilot said prior to the accident there were no known mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: N5333G (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: de Havilland Beaver DHC-2 MK.1 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 772 - Airframe hours: 10646 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R985-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Mission Creek Lodge, doing business as Mission Creek Lodge - Registered owner: D & G Leasing LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2005, 128 hours before - Departed: Aleknagik, AK - Destination: Aleknagik, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2004; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,767 total, 1,709 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast - Temperature: 55 °F ## 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 20050822022609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050822022609A), Aug 22, 2005: Dhav DHC2MK1, Togiak, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot taxied upstream to a point where he judged he would have sufficient area for takeoff, and began the takeoff run. The airplane had not reached… 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.