# NTSB ANC24LA054: Dehavilland Beaver DHC-2 MK.1, N55WE, Aleknagik, AK, June 21, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: June 20, 2024, 18:00 local (Jun 21, 2024, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Aleknagik, AK
- Coordinates: 59.414075, -158.93736
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.4141&lon=-158.9374&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA - ANC FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 194526
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC24LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194526/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194526
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA054

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain pitch control of the airplane during initial climb.

## Findings

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

- [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 MK.1, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2800102), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=2800102), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/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 in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2800102), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff in a float-equipped airplane, he heard rustling noises coming from the aft cargo section of the airplane. The pilot glanced behind him to identify the source of the noises and, as he looked forward again, the airplane impacted the water resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55WE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55WE), registered now, S/N 273, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DEHAVILLAND BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1
- Registry model: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-beaver-dhc-2-mk-1) (registry code 2800102) (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: 273
- Year built: 1952
- Airframe hours: 15907
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Bristol Bay Lodge LLC
- Registered owner: D & B Aircraft Leasing LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 1, 2024, 30 hours before
- Departed: Aleknagik, AK
- Destination: Togiak Village, AK
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 19, 2023; seat: left; flight hours: 1,060 total, 275 in this make and model, 1,012 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observed at: ADL, 25 nm away
- METAR: PADL 202356Z 05006KT 10SM BKN040 14/10 A2992 RMK AO2 RAE34 SLP136 P0001 60002 T01390100 10161 20100 58006

## 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 20240620007849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240620007849A), Jun 20, 2024: Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1, Aleknagik, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot departed lake Aleknagik in day VFR conditions. After lift off, he heard items in the cabin flapping around. Pilot turned his head to check on the noise.…

## Other investigations on N55WE (1)

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 ANC15CA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15CA075), Sep 3, 2015: Dehavilland Beaver DHC 2 MK.1 (N55WE), Arctic Village, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable, off-airport site, which resulted in a nose over.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 28, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194526. 2.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17346265&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 263 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17346189&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.

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