25 Aug 2012: DEHAVILLAND BEAVER U-6 — High Adventure Air Charter — Kenai, AK

No fatalitiesKenai, AK, United States

A De Havilland Beaver U-6 struck the ground while the pilot was transitioning from a left base leg to final approach at a remote lake.

What happened

On August 25, 2012, a De Havilland Beaver U-6, registration N314HA, was performing a landing at a remote lake near Kenai, Alaska. During the approach, while the pilot was executing a turn from the left base leg to short final, the left float of the aircraft made contact with the ground. The impact resulted in 3 minor injuries and caused substantial damage to the aircraft's fuselage and wings.

At the time of the accident, weather conditions were characterized by visual meteorological conditions (VMC) with a visibility of 10 statute miles and winds from 000 degrees at 5 knots.

Probable cause

The pilot failed to maintain sufficient clearance from the ground during the landing approach, leading to the aircraft striking the terrain.

Contributing factors

Causes

Pilot

Other contributing factors

Descent/approach/glide path — Not attained/maintained