# NTSB ANC13CA098: Dehavilland Beaver DHC 2, N1544, Akhiok, AK, September 14, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 14, 2013, 12:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Akhiok, AK - Coordinates: 57.191665, -154.50389 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.1917&lon=-154.5039&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 2, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 88040 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC13CA098 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88040/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88040 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13CA098 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in a gusty tailwind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2800108), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2800108), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified; cases with it: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2800108), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified; cases with it: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2800108), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2800108), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2800108), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of a float-equipped airplane reported that he was attempting to takeoff from a river, in the same direction as the 3 to 5-knot current, with a 5-knot tailwind. During the takeoff run, as the airplane neared a bend in the river, it encountered a 15 to 20-knot quartering tailwind gust. He said that the airplane lost rudder authority due to the wind gust, and he was unable to steer around the river bend. The airplane subsequently struck the riverbank and came to rest upright. During the impact, the left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a float-equipped airplane reported that he was attempting to takeoff from a river, in the same direction as the 3 to 5-knot current, with a 5-knot tailwind. During the takeoff run, as the airplane neared a bend in the river, it encountered a 15 to 20-knot quartering tailwind gust. He said that the airplane lost rudder authority due to the wind gust, and he was unable to steer around the river bend. The airplane subsequently struck the riverbank and came to rest upright. During the impact, the left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1544](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1544), registered now, S/N 1230, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DEHAVILLAND BEAVER DHC 2 (MARKI) - Registry model: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-beaver-dhc-2) (registry code 2800108) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1230 - Year built: 1958 - Airframe hours: 27549 - Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Andrew Airways Inc - Registered owner: Andrew Airways Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 27, 2013, 49 hours before - Departed: Akhiok, AK - Destination: T44, Kodiak, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 25, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 5,510 total, 2,109 in this make and model, 622 as pilot in command, 266 in the last 90 days, 119 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: PADQ, 75 nm away ## 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 20130914018939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130914018939A), Sep 14, 2013: Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2, Kodiak, AK, Substantial damage. On September 14, 2013 at approximately 1300 local Alaska time a straight float equipped DHC-2, N1544 was departing the ayakulik river on Kodiak island with the… ## Other investigations on N1544 (2) 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. - [NTSB GAA20CA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA007), Oct 7, 2019: De Havilland Beaver DHC 2 (N1544), Kodiak, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain lateral control while landing on glassy water, which resulted in the left float touching the water, a loss of yaw control, and impact with a riverbank. - [NTSB ANC18LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18LA025), Jan 24, 2018: Dehavilland Beaver DHC 2 (N1544), Kodiak, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 20, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88040. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403448&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Report (item 2, .PDF, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403449&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Photograph # 1: Left Wing Damage (Photo Courtesy of Operator) (item 3, .PDF, 132 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40403450&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%3A%20%20Left%20Wing%20Damage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-Master.PDF 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.