# NTSB ANC96LA164: de Havilland DHC-2, N5343G, Aniak, AK, September 24, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 24, 1996, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Aniak, AK - Coordinates: 61.200122, -158.600936 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2001&lon=-158.6009&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2910 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA164 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2910/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA164 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to remove all snow and ice from the airplane prior to 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 - weather condition - snow - ice/frost removal from aircraft - not performed, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he landed the airplane on the lake to pick up two hunters. While they were loading the airplane, a snow shower moved in and the visibility degraded from 3 miles to less than 1/4 mile. After approximately 5 minutes, the snow shower stopped and visibility improved to 5 miles. He elected to takeoff. He brushed his hand on the tail surface of the airplane and noted that the snow brushed off easily. He did not brush any more snow off the airplane. The pilot stated that when he started the engine he looked out at the tail and saw that the snow had blown off the tail. He assumed that it would blow off the rest of the airplane during the takeoff run. The airplane lifted off the surface of the lake and would not climb above 5 feet of altitude. The pilot aborted the takeoff and had insufficient room to stop the airplane. The airplane collided with the shoreline. ## Factual narrative On September 24, 1996, at 1100 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Dehavilland Beaver DHC-2 airplane, N5343G, registered to and operated by Aniak Air Guides of Aniak, Alaska, crashed into terrain after an aborted takeoff from Oskawalik Lake, which is located approximately 50 miles east of Aniak. The on demand air taxi flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 135, was departing the lake and the destination was Aniak, Alaska. A company visual flight rules flight plan was in effect and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The certificated commercial pilot and the two passengers were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. During a telephone conversation with the pilot on September 26, 1996, he stated that he landed on the lake to pick up two hunters. While they were loading the airplane, a snow shower moved in and the visibility degraded from 3 miles to less than 1/4 mile. After approximately 5 minutes, the snow shower stopped and visibility improved to 5 miles. He elected to takeoff. He brushed his hand on the tail surface of the airplane and noted that the snow brushed off easily. He did not brush any more snow off the airplane. The pilot stated that when he started the engine he looked out at the tail and saw that the snow had blown off the tail. He assumed that it would blow off the rest of the airplane during the takeoff run. The airplane lifted off the surface of the lake and would not climb above 5 feet of altitude. The pilot aborted the takeoff and had insufficient room to stop the airplane. The airplane collided with the shoreline. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5343G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5343G), registered now, S/N 862, built 1958 (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: 862 - Airframe hours: 7594 - Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Aniak Air Guides - Registered owner: Rick Townsend - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 31, 1996, 90 hours before - Departed: OSKAWALIK LAKE, AK - Destination: ANI, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,593 total, 200 in this make and model, 2,522 as pilot in command, 169 in the last 90 days, 74 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 19 °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 19960924029969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960924029969A), Sep 24, 1996: Dhav DHC2MK1, Aniak, AK, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot stated that he landed the airplane on the lake to pick up two hunters. While they were loading the airplane, a snow shower moved in and the… ## Other investigations on N5343G (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 ANC24LA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA037), May 28, 2024: Dehavilland Beaver DHC-2 MK.1 (N5343G), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper fuel management resulting in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. - [NTSB ANC01LA152](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA152), Sep 16, 2001: de Havilland DHC-2 (N5343G), Arctic Village, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff. A factor in the accident was rock(s)/boulders in the area of 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.