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July 13, 2023 · Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A) · N302BL

Twin Hills, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 13, 2023
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (2 serious injuries, 2 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Location
Twin Hills, AK
Aircraft
Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A) (1954)
Tail Number
N302BL
Operator
Bristol Bay Lodge
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC23LA054

The pilot stated that moments after takeoff from a lake he heard a loud bang, and the airplane impacted the water. The passengers stated that after takeoff there was a sound similar to a cable snap or a hammer hitting metal. The airplane made a hard left turn, and the left wing impacted the water. Postaccident examination of the engine and airframe revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane came to rest fragmented in a lake and the floats were not recovered; therefore, the fly wires and floats could not be examined, and the reason for the loss of control could not be determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Lateral/bank control-Unknown/Not determined

Full Narrative

On July 12, 2023, about 1630 Alaska daylight time, a DeHavilland DHC-2 airplane, N302BL, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Twin Hills, Alaska. The pilot was not injured, two passengers sustained minor injuries, and two passengers sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 business flight. The pilot stated that just after takeoff from the water, he heard a “bang” and then the airplane impacted the water. The passengers reported hearing a sound similar to a “cable snap” or “hitting a hammer on a piece of metal.” The airplane made a hard left turn, the left wing dipped into the water, and the airplane pivoted around that point. The airplane came to rest mostly submerged and fragmented. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the left wing was separated from the fuselage, consistent with impact damage; the right wing was removed to facilitate recovery. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit inputs to the recovery cuts. The left flap attachment arm remained attached to the flap and was bent and twisted. The right flap attachment arm was undamaged. The fuel selector was set to the aft tank. The floats and fly wires were not recovered from the lake and therefore were not available for examination. The throttle control was near the closed position, and the mixture was at idle. The spark plug attachments and cylinder base nuts were all intact and tight. When the propeller was manually rotated, thumb compression was obtained on all cylinders. The cylinders were examined using a lighted borescope and no anomalies were noted. All magneto leads produced a spark when spun with an electric drill. A review of the maintenance logbooks revealed that the engine had accumulated 66 hours since an overhaul that was completed about 6 months before the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A)
Tail NumberN302BL
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBristol Bay Lodge
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · R985-14B · Reciprocating · 450
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (2 serious injuries, 2 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor2
Uninjured1
Total5
Crew 1Serious
Crew 2Serious
Crew 3Minor
Crew 4None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 50 F
Altimeter30.31 inHg
Observation Time15:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data