No fatalities

27 Aug 2013: DEHAVILLAND DHC-2 MK. I(L20A) — PTARMIGAN AIR LLC — Bethel, AK

Bethel, AK, United States

On 27 Aug 2013, a DEHAVILLAND DHC-2 MK. I(L20A) operated by PTARMIGAN AIR LLC was involved in an aviation accident near Bethel, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and crosswind compensation during landing. 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

A floatplane suffered structural damage to its right wing and fuselage after the wing struck the water during a river landing in choppy conditions with a left quartering headwind.

Incident Overview

A float-equipped airplane sustained structural damage during a landing on a river. The pilot reported that the landing occurred in choppy water conditions with a left quartering headwind. As the airplane touched down, it yawed to the left, and the right wing struck the water surface.

Pilot Statement

The pilot stated that the airplane yawed left immediately after touchdown, resulting in the right wing contacting the water. The pilot further reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot did not provide any additional explanations for the accident.

Damage

The collision of the right wing with the water caused structural damage to both the right wing and the fuselage. No further information regarding the extent of damage was disclosed.

Contributing factors

Crosswind correction — Not attained/maintainedDirectional control — Not attained/maintained