# NTSB ANC90LA162: De Havilland DHC-2, N24BR, Alagnak River, AK, August 31, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1990, 15:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Alagnak River, AK
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5443
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5443/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA162

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, HIS SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN, AND HIS DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF RUN ON THE RIVER, HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE THEN STRUCK THE RIVER BANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24BR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N24BR), registered now, S/N 644, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DE HAVILLAND DHC-2
- Registry model: [Dehavilland DHC-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-dhc-2) (registry code 2808001) (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: 644
- Airframe hours: 9795
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Hartley, Inc, doing business as Branch River Air Service
- Registered owner: Hartley, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 8, 1990, 99 hours before
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,850 total, 120 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 340 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19900831038119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900831038119A), Aug 31, 1990: Dhav DHC2MK1, Alagnak River, AK, Substantial damage. Tried to takeoff in a bend in River. Ran into River bank.

## Other investigations on N24BR (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 ANC22LA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22LA078), Sep 19, 2022: Dehavilland DHC-2 (N24BR), Egegik, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of control during takeoff in gusting wind conditions.
- [NTSB ANC08CA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08CA002), Oct 7, 2007: de Havilland DHC-2 (N24BR), King Salmon, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for gusty wind conditions during the final approach to land, which resulted in the airplane colliding with terrain. A factor contributing to the accident was the…

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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