1992-09-19: DE Havilland DHC-2 — Paul Claus — Chitina, AK

Casualties unknown • Chitina, AK, US

Probable cause

PILOT IN COMMAND PREFLIGHT DECISION/PLANNING IN ATTEMPTING TAKEOFF WITHOUT PRUDENT AND SUFFICIENT PREPARATION TO ASSESS WIND DIRECTION. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE TREES IN THE CLEARWAY AT THE AIRSTRIP END.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

PILOT/OWNER OF LODGE OPERATING DE HAVILLAND DHC2 LANDED AT 1,200 FOOT RIVER BAR STRIP AND LOADED 4 PASSENGERS AND LIGHT CARGO IN 'NO MORE THAN 10 MINUTES.' TAKEOFF ABORTED JUST PRIOR TO PLANNED TAKEOFF WHEN PILOT REPORTED LACK OF ACCELERATION WITH NORMAL ENGINE POWER. OVERRUN INTO TREES BEYOND AIRSTRIP, COLLISION WITH TREES SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGING AIRCRAFT. PILOT NOTED 10 TO 15 KNOT TAILWIND FOLLOWING ACCIDENT.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1992-09-19 DE Havilland DHC-2 accident near Chitina, AK?

PILOT/OWNER OF LODGE OPERATING DE HAVILLAND DHC2 LANDED AT 1,200 FOOT RIVER BAR STRIP AND LOADED 4 PASSENGERS AND LIGHT CARGO IN 'NO MORE THAN 10 MINUTES.' TAKEOFF ABORTED JUST PRIOR TO PLANNED TAKEOFF WHEN PILOT REPORTED LACK OF ACCELERATION WITH NORMAL ENGINE POWER. OVERRUN INTO TREES BEYOND AIRSTRIP, COLLISION…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1992-09-19 involved a DE Havilland DHC-2, registration N513F, operated by Paul Claus, at Chitina, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

PILOT IN COMMAND PREFLIGHT DECISION/PLANNING IN ATTEMPTING TAKEOFF WITHOUT PRUDENT AND SUFFICIENT PREPARATION TO ASSESS WIND DIRECTION. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE TREES IN THE CLEARWAY AT THE AIRSTRIP END.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X15574. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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