On August 2, 2006, a DE Havilland DHC-2 MK.1 (registration N4040W) operated by Brooks Range Aviation Inc was involved in an aviation accident near Anaktuvuk Pass, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff at his predetermined reference point, which resulted in a collision with the shore during takeoff-initial climb, and structural damage to the airplane. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A float-equipped airplane struck the shore of a remote lake during takeoff, then suffered float collapse during landing on a hard surface, resulting in substantial fuselage damage.
Accident Details
On an unspecified date, an airline transport certificated pilot was operating a float-equipped airplane under Title 14, CFR Part 135, transporting passengers from a remote lake. The pilot reported that during takeoff, he passed his predetermined abort point without becoming airborne. Feeling compelled to continue to avoid hitting the shoreline, he managed to become airborne but struck the lake's shore with the airplane's floats just after liftoff.
Subsequent Events
Concerned about damage to the floats from the impact, the pilot elected to land on a hard surface runway at the destination airport. During landing, the float structure collapsed, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot stated that there were no known mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident.