Accident Overview
On August 3, 2011, at approximately 0950 Alaska daylight time, a de Havilland DHC-2 airplane, registration N723DR, sustained substantial damage during an off-airport landing about 40 miles south of Northway, Alaska. The aircraft was operated by Copper Valley Air Service, LLC, of Glennallen, Alaska, under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 as an on-demand air taxi flight, under contract to the U.S. National Park Service (NPS). The pilot and four passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company flight following procedures were in effect.
Flight Information
The flight originated from Gulkana Airport in Glennallen, Alaska, at about 0830. Its purpose was to transport NPS employees to a remote site for water sampling and a site survey. The pilot reported that during the landing, as the airplane came to a stop, he noticed a problem with the tailwheel. After unloading the passengers, he found that the tailwheel casting had broken, and the tailwheel spindle and fork had separated from the airframe. He inspected the landing area and observed that the aircraft had struck a small, 4-inch bank of dirt in the grass that he had not seen during the landing.
Damage Assessment
A postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector revealed substantial damage to the aft fuselage bulkhead. The aircraft was substantially damaged but no other details about the extent of damage were specified.
Probable Cause
The investigation did not state a probable cause for the accident.