# NTSB ANC08CA116: de Havilland DHC-2, N4081F, Talkeetna, AK, August 30, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 29, 2008, 18:30 local (Aug 30, 2008, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Talkeetna, AK
- Coordinates: 62.416667, -151 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.4167&lon=-151.0000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 11, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69175
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC08CA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69175/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08CA116

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff site, resulting in an on ground collision with tall brush.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane was departing from a remote off-airport site that was surrounded by tall brush. The pilot said that during the takeoff run, the left wing struck tall brush, which pivoted the airplane to the left, and it entered an area of heavy brush and trees. The airplane's right main landing gear collapsed and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane was departing from a remote off-airport site that was surrounded by tall brush. The pilot said that during the takeoff run, the left wing struck tall brush, which pivoted the airplane to the left, and it entered an area of heavy brush and trees. The airplane's right main landing gear collapsed and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. He did not submit an NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4081F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland DHC-2
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 491
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Randy T. Burleson
- Registered owner: Talkeetna Avaition LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Talkeetna, AK
- Destination: TKA, Talkeetna, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; last flight review October 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 1,000 total, 60 in this make and model, 85 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 20080829845269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080829845269A), Aug 29, 2008: DHC2, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot attempted a takeoff in a DHC-2 beaver from a narrow, brush-lined, airstrip approximately 35 miles west of Talkeetna, AK. During the takeoff roll…

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.

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