On December 28, 1989, a DE Havilland DHC-2 (registration N67691) was involved in an aviation accident near Kodiak, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF, AND SUBSEQUENT IMPACT WITH THE WATER. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot reported that after a sea landing near Raspberry Strait, wind gusts increased to 45 knots. During takeoff, the aircraft rolled right and pitched down, impacting water and causing the right float to rupture, leading to a rollover.
Incident Overview
A pilot reported that after making a sea landing near Raspberry Strait, wind velocity increased to an estimated 30 knots with gusts to 45 knots. The pilot elected to take off toward the west for the return flight.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot, at about 100 feet above the water, the aircraft rolled abruptly to the right and its nose pitched downward. He applied full power and opposite aileron, but the aircraft contacted the water before he could recover. During the impact, the two front compartments of the right float ruptured, and the right float strut failed. Subsequently, the right float sank, and the aircraft rolled over in the water.
Damage
The right float sustained rupture of its two front compartments and failure of its strut. The aircraft then rolled over and came to rest inverted in the water.