NONDALTON, AK, USA
N2297R
de Havilland DHC-2
A COMMERCIAL PILOT TRANSPORTING A GAME GUIDE AND HIS CLIENTS ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF IN CHOPPY WATER WITH VARIABLE DIRECTION GUSTY WINDS. DURING THE TAKEOFF, A GUST OF WIND LIFTED THE RIGHT WING CAUSING THE LEFT WING TO CONTACT THE WATER.
On July 09, 1994, at 1215 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped deHavilland DHC-2 airplane, N2297R, operated by Air Adventures of Kenai, Alaska, crashed during takeoff from Alexi Lake, located approximately 5 miles east of Nondalton, Alaska. The commercial certificated pilot-in-command and his five revenue passengers were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The on demand air taxi VFR flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 135, for the purpose of transporting a game guide and his clients to Nikiski, Alaska. Visual meteorological conditions existed and a company VFR flight plan was in effect. During a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on July 11, 1994, the pilot said that he was making a south takeoff in rain (drizzle) with the wind blowing from 180 degrees at 25 knots with gust to 35 knots. As the plane came over the hump onto the step, he decided that the waves were too big so he altered the direction of the takeoff run to the east. The flight subsequently encountered a strong wind from the southeast. A gust of wind lifted the right wing forcing the left wing tip and left elevator into the water.
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITION. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GUSTY WIND CONDITION.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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