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August 21, 2011 · Grumman G-44 · N139F

Dillingham, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 21, 2011
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Dillingham, AK
Aircraft
Grumman G-44
Tail Number
N139F
Operator
Fresh Water Adventures
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC11LA084

The pilot reported that, just prior to the accident landing, he had parked the amphibious airplane on a beach where, unknown to him, the left main landing gear wheel brake had apparently captured a small rock in the brake system. On landing at the destination airport, the left brake locked and the airplane departed the left side of the runway, colliding with terrain and sustaining substantial damage to the left wing. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector who went to the accident site confirmed that a small rock was found wedged in the left brake assembly.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of directional control during landing due to a rock lodged in the main landing gear wheel brake, resulting in a runway excursion and collision with terrain.

Full Narrative

On August 21, about 0910 Alaska daylight time, a Grumman G-44 amphibious airplane, N139F, sustained substantial damage during a runway excursion and collision with terrain, while landing at the Dillingham Airport, Dillingham, Alaska. The airplane was operated by Fresh Water Adventures, Dillingham, as a visual flight rules (VFR) passenger flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 135, when the accident occurred. The commercial pilot, and the three passengers, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was in effect. The flight departed Nerka Lake, Alaska, bound for Dillingham, about 0850. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on August 21, the Dillingham airport manager said when the airplane touched down it immediately veered off the runway to the left, and collided with terrain. He said the pilot told him the left brake locked up, and he lost directional control. The airplane received substantial damage to the left wing and the left aileron. In a written statement dated August 22, the pilot reported that he was unaware that the left wheel brake system had picked up a rock while departing from a beach at Nerka Lake, which resulted in the left brake locking up on landing. In a written statement dated August 28, an FAA air safety inspector, who had examined the airplane at the accident site, confirmed that a small rock was found lodged in the left brake assembly.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:10 AKDT
Nearest AirportDillingham (0nm)
Runway19
Runway Length6400 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman G-44
Tail NumberN139F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFresh Water Adventures
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · IO-470 SERIES · Reciprocating · 260 | Cont Motor · IO-470 SERIES · Reciprocating · 260
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 70 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 5 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 8000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 50
Altimeter29.26 inHg
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data