Casualties unknown

Pilot Aborts Takeoff After Snow Shower, Airplane Collides with Shoreline (N5343G)

Aniak, AK, US

On September 24, 1996, a DE Havilland DHC-2 (registration N5343G) operated by Aniak Air Guides was involved in an aviation accident near Aniak, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to remove all snow and ice from the airplane prior to takeoff. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot landed on a lake to pick up hunters. After a snow shower reduced visibility, the pilot attempted takeoff but the airplane would not climb above 5 feet. The aborted takeoff resulted in a collision with the shoreline.

Background

The pilot landed the airplane on a lake to pick up two hunters. While the hunters were loading the airplane, a snow shower moved in, reducing visibility from 3 miles to less than 1/4 mile. Approximately 5 minutes later, the snow shower stopped and visibility improved to 5 miles.

Pre-Takeoff Actions

The pilot decided to take off. Before takeoff, he brushed his hand on the tail surface of the airplane and noted that the snow brushed off easily. He did not remove any additional snow from the airplane. When he started the engine, he looked at the tail and observed that the snow had blown off that surface. He assumed that the remaining snow would blow off the rest of the airplane during the takeoff run.

Attempted Takeoff

The airplane lifted off from the surface of the lake but would not climb above 5 feet of altitude. The pilot aborted the takeoff. However, there was insufficient room to stop the airplane before reaching the shoreline.

Collision

The airplane collided with the shoreline.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X06670. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.