On 20 Sep 2019, a De Havilland BEAVER DHC 2 MK.1 No Series operated by Arctic Air LLC was involved in an aviation accident near Kotzebue, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff from water after the airplane impacted a submerged object, which resulted in insufficient airspeed for liftoff and led to the pilot steering the airplane toward a mud embankment to avoid rocks. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During takeoff from a lake, a float-equipped airplane struck a submerged bog, causing a brief deceleration. The pilot aborted the takeoff, steering onto a mud embankment to avoid rocks. Substantial fuselage damage occurred.
Event
A float-equipped airplane was taking off from a lake when the right float struck a submerged bog or tundra after the floats came up on the step. The collision resulted in a brief deceleration of speed. After clearing the submerged object, the airplane accelerated again, but airspeed remained insufficient for liftoff, prompting the pilot to abort the takeoff.
Avoidance and Stop
As the airplane approached rocks at the north edge of the lake, the pilot steered to the right onto a mud embankment. The aircraft slid to a stop short of an adjacent airport's taxiway.
Damage
The accident resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.