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NTSB Report

September 24, 1996 · De Havilland DHC-2 · N5343G

Aniak, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 24, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Aniak, AK
Aircraft
De Havilland DHC-2
Tail Number
N5343G
Operator
Aniak Air Guides
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC96LA164

The pilot stated that he landed the airplane on the lake to pick up two hunters. While they were loading the airplane, a snow shower moved in and the visibility degraded from 3 miles to less than 1/4 mile. After approximately 5 minutes, the snow shower stopped and visibility improved to 5 miles. He elected to takeoff. He brushed his hand on the tail surface of the airplane and noted that the snow brushed off easily. He did not brush any more snow off the airplane. The pilot stated that when he started the engine he looked out at the tail and saw that the snow had blown off the tail. He assumed that it would blow off the rest of the airplane during the takeoff run. The airplane lifted off the surface of the lake and would not climb above 5 feet of altitude. The pilot aborted the takeoff and had insufficient room to stop the airplane. The airplane collided with the shoreline.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to remove all snow and ice from the airplane prior to takeoff.

Full Narrative

On September 24, 1996, at 1100 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Dehavilland Beaver DHC-2 airplane, N5343G, registered to and operated by Aniak Air Guides of Aniak, Alaska, crashed into terrain after an aborted takeoff from Oskawalik Lake, which is located approximately 50 miles east of Aniak. The on demand air taxi flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 135, was departing the lake and the destination was Aniak, Alaska. A company visual flight rules flight plan was in effect and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The certificated commercial pilot and the two passengers were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. During a telephone conversation with the pilot on September 26, 1996, he stated that he landed on the lake to pick up two hunters. While they were loading the airplane, a snow shower moved in and the visibility degraded from 3 miles to less than 1/4 mile. After approximately 5 minutes, the snow shower stopped and visibility improved to 5 miles. He elected to takeoff. He brushed his hand on the tail surface of the airplane and noted that the snow brushed off easily. He did not brush any more snow off the airplane. The pilot stated that when he started the engine he looked out at the tail and saw that the snow had blown off the tail. He assumed that it would blow off the rest of the airplane during the takeoff run. The airplane lifted off the surface of the lake and would not climb above 5 feet of altitude. The pilot aborted the takeoff and had insufficient room to stop the airplane. The airplane collided with the shoreline.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDe Havilland DHC-2
Tail NumberN5343G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAniak Air Guides
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-985 · Reciprocating · 450
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 35 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility5 sm
CeilingOvercast 2000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point19 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data