# NTSB ANC94LA079: de Havilland DHC-2, N2297R, Nondalton, AK, July 9, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 9, 1994, 12:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Nondalton, AK - Coordinates: 59.95914, -154.870208 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.9591&lon=-154.8702&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 6 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2520 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC94LA079 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2520/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA079 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITION. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GUSTY WIND CONDITION. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - roll/run - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis A COMMERCIAL PILOT TRANSPORTING A GAME GUIDE AND HIS CLIENTS ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF IN CHOPPY WATER WITH VARIABLE DIRECTION GUSTY WINDS. DURING THE TAKEOFF, A GUST OF WIND LIFTED THE RIGHT WING CAUSING THE LEFT WING TO CONTACT THE WATER. ## Factual narrative On July 09, 1994, at 1215 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped deHavilland DHC-2 airplane, N2297R, operated by Air Adventures of Kenai, Alaska, crashed during takeoff from Alexi Lake, located approximately 5 miles east of Nondalton, Alaska. The commercial certificated pilot-in-command and his five revenue passengers were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The on demand air taxi VFR flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 135, for the purpose of transporting a game guide and his clients to Nikiski, Alaska. Visual meteorological conditions existed and a company VFR flight plan was in effect. During a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on July 11, 1994, the pilot said that he was making a south takeoff in rain (drizzle) with the wind blowing from 180 degrees at 25 knots with gust to 35 knots. As the plane came over the hump onto the step, he decided that the waves were too big so he altered the direction of the takeoff run to the east. The flight subsequently encountered a strong wind from the southeast. A gust of wind lifted the right wing forcing the left wing tip and left elevator into the water. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2297R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2297R), registered now, S/N 742, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: de Havilland DHC-2 - 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: 742537930 - Engines: P&W R-985-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Mcbride, Michael S., doing business as Air Adventures , Inc. - Registered owner: Mcbride, Michael S. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1994 - Destination: KENAI, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,418 total, 600 in this make and model, 4,253 as pilot in command, 136 in the last 90 days, 110 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 25 knots, gusting 35 - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 46 °F ## 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 19940709046819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940709046819A), Jul 9, 1994: Dhav DHC2MK1, Nondalton, AK, Substantial damage. Tried depart rough lake. Slowed by waves turned crosswind. Wing lifted. Other wing dug in. Water looped. ## Other investigations on N2297R (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 ANC94LA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA082), Jul 16, 1994: de Havilland DHC-2 (N2297R), Kenai, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT DID NOT USE THE TAKEOFF CHECKLIST TO CONFIRM THAT THE FLAPS WERE EXTENDED FOR THE TAKEOFF. 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.