N/A Airport
Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Akhiok, Alaska 99615
Saturday, September 14, 2013 12:45 AKD

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

The pilot of a float-equipped airplane reported that he was attempting to takeoff from a river, in the same direction as the 3 to 5-knot current, with a 5-knot tailwind. During the takeoff run, as the airplane neared a bend in the river, it encountered a 15 to 20-knot quartering tailwind gust. He said that the airplane lost rudder authority due to the wind gust, and he was unable to steer around the river bend. The airplane subsequently struck the riverbank and came to rest upright. During the impact, the left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in a gusty tailwind.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 9/14/2013
Event Day of the Week Saturday
Time of Event 1245
Event Time Zone --
Event City Akhiok
Event State ALASKA
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 99615
Event Date Year 2013
Event Date Month 9
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 571130N
Event Location Longitude 1543014W
Event Location Airport N/A
Event Location Nearest Airport ID --
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport Off Airport/Airstrip
Distance from airport in statute miles --
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation --
Weather Briefing Completeness --
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 70
Weather Observation Facility ID PADQ
Elevation of weather observation facility 79
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 75
Time Zone of the weather observation --
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height 2500
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height --
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions --
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling Broken
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) 10
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 12
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) 9
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 310
Variable Wind Indicator Wind direction could be determined
Wind Speed (knots) 9
Wind Velocity Indicator --
Wind Gust Indicator Not Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) --
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 29.84
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury None
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None 4
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All --
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 32074
NTSB Notification Source FAA Alaskan ROC
NTSB Notification Date --
NTSB Notification Time --
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information --
Date of most recent change to record Nov 20 2013 5:23PM
User who most recently changed record stam
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office --

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N1544
NTSB Number ANC13CA098
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
Type of Flight Plan filed Company VFR
Flight plan Was Activated? Yes
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name DEHAVILLAND
Aircraft Model BEAVER DHC 2
Aircraft Series Identifier MARKI
Aircraft Serial Number 1230
Certified Max Gross Weight 5370
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class --
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats 2
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats 5
Total number of seats on the aircraft 7
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection 100 Hour
Date of Last Inspection Aug 27 2013 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection 49
Airframe Hours 27549
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated No
ELT Aided Location of Event Site Unknown
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name ANDREW AIRWAYS INC
Aircraft Owner Street Address --
Aircraft Owner City KODIAK
Aircraft Owner State AK
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 996151037
Operator is an individual? No
Operator Name ANDREW AIRWAYS INC
Operator Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address --
Operator City KODIAK
Operator State AK
Operator Country USA
Operator Zip code 996151037
Operator Code D4NA
Owner has at least one certificate Yes - certificate holder
Other Operator of large aircraft? --
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation --
Operator Certificate Number D4NA753Y
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not Non-scheduled
Indicates Domestic or International Flight Domestic
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail Passenger Only
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) --
Second Pilot on Board No
Departure Point Same as Event Yes
Departure Airport Code --
Departure City Akhiok
Departure State AK
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 1245
Departure Time Zone ADT
Destination Same as Local Flt --
Destination Airport Code T44
Destination City Kodiak
Destination State AK
Destination Country USA
Specific Phase of Flight --
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Nov 20 2013 5:23PM
User who most recently changed record stam
Since inspection or accident Last Inspection
Event Location Runway Number and Location N/A
Runway Length --
Runway Width --
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --