# NTSB ANC24LA060: De Havilland DHC2, N6LU, Susitna, AK, July 2, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 2, 2024, 15:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Susitna, AK - Coordinates: 61.411752, -150.59147 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4118&lon=-150.5915&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - 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 - NTSB case key (mKey): 194608 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC24LA060 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194608/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194608 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA060 ## Probable cause The pilot’s selection of an unsuitable takeoff area, resulting in the floats contacting the shallow river bottom during takeoff, and a subsequent loss of control. ## 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 MK.1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2800102), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=2800102), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2800102), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=2800102), [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: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2800102), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2800102), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was departing from a shallow river in a float-equipped airplane. She reported that she was almost on step when the airplane suddenly veered to the left toward the riverbank. She reduced engine power to abort the takeoff, however the airplane impacted the riverbank and trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. In the pilot’s written statement, she reported that the airplane’s floats likely encountered the shallow river bottom during the takeoff run, resulting in the sudden left veer. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6LU](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6LU), registered now, S/N 908, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DE HAVILLAND DHC2 (I) - 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: 908 - Year built: 1956 - Airframe hours: 35313 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-985 AN-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 135 - Operator: Trail Ridge Air - Registered owner: My Holdings, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 25, 2024, 35 hours before - Departed: PALH, Anchorage, AK - Destination: PALH, Anchorage, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic primary flight display, ADS-B, Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 30, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,570 total, 95 in this make and model, 1,480 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 123 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,400 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: ALH, 23 nm away - METAR: PALH 021153Z AUTO 20004KT 10SM BKN034 OVC075 12/07 A3023 RMK AO2 SLP238 T01170072 10150 20117 51012 TSNO ## Other investigations on N6LU (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 ANC91IA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91IA102), Jul 16, 1991: De Havilland DHC2 MK1 (N6LU), Iliamna, AK, incident, minor damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S ATTEMPTED FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH AND GUSTY WINDS IN THE ACCIDENT AREA. ## 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=194608. 4.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17356420&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC24LA060%206120%20Pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 794 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18519931&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photographs%20ANC24LA060-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. --- 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.