No fatalities

5 Oct 2009: DEHAVILLAND DHC-2 — KATMAI AIR LEASING LLC — King Salmon, AK

King Salmon, AK, United States

On 5 Oct 2009, a DEHAVILLAND DHC-2 operated by KATMAI AIR LEASING LLC was involved in an aviation accident near King Salmon, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Pilot error. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During a takeoff with a 5-knot tailwind, the pilot of a float-equipped airplane realized it would not become airborne before the end of the lake. He aborted the takeoff, but the floats struck the shoreline, causing substantial damage to the right wing.

Accident Details

The pilot of a float-equipped airplane was conducting a departure to the east with a 5-knot tailwind. The flight was a Title 14, CFR Part 91 other work use flight, with the purpose of demobilizing a remote fishing lodge at the end of the season.

Pilot Report

During the takeoff run, the pilot realized that the airplane would not become airborne before reaching the departure end of the lake. He closed the engine throttle to abort the takeoff. The airplane's floats then struck the shoreline, and the airplane came to rest on the shore, approximately 75 yards from the lake.

Damage

The right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.

Probable Cause

In his written report to the NTSB, the pilot attributed the accident to "pilot error."

Contributing factors

Causes

Pilot

Other contributing factors

Decision related to conditionEffect on operation