Pilot Debrief

De Havilland BEAVER DHC 2 MK.1 near Kotzebue, AK — 2019-09-20

Final reportGAA19CA562
Sign in to save
Date
2019-09-20
Location
Kotzebue, AK, USA
Airport
OTZ
Aircraft
De Havilland BEAVER DHC 2 MK.1
Registration
N67112
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff from water after the airplane impacted a submerged object, which resulted in insufficient airspeed for liftoff and led to the pilot steering the airplane toward a mud embankment to avoid rocks.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during takeoff from a lake and after the floats came up on the step, the right float struck a submerged bog, which resulted in a brief deceleration of airspeed. After the float cleared the submerged bog, the airplane accelerated again, but the airspeed was not sufficient for liftoff, so the pilot aborted the takeoff. As the airplane approached rocks at the edge of the lake, he steered the airplane right onto a mud embankment, and the airplane slid to a stop short of an adjacent taxiway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

Related mishaps