De Havilland DHC-2 N10395

Summary

On 21 August 2001 at about 22:30 local time, a De Havilland DHC-2 registered N10395, operated by Jack Barber, was involved in an accident near Nondalton, Alaska, United States. 5 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 August 2001 at 22:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Nondalton, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

59.9667, -154.8439

Aircraft

De Havilland DHC-2

Registration

N10395

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Jack Barber

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Nondalton → Port Alsworth

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC01LA121

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's inadequate compensation for gusty wind conditions. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's inadequate weather evaluation, and wind gusts.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The certificated commerical pilot reported to the NTSB that just after takeoff, about 100 feet above the water, a very strong gust of wind rolled the wings of the float-equipped airplane about 90 degrees to the left. He said that he applied full right aileron in an attempt to regain control, but the airplane descended, and the left wing struck the surface of the water. As the airplane's left wing struck the surface of the water, the wing separated from the fuselage, pivoted the airplane 90 degrees to the left, and the right wing struck the water. Both floats were torn from the fuselage, and the airplane eventually sank in shallow water. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage. The pilot reported that wind conditions at the time of the accident were out of the northwest at 20 knots, with gusts to 30 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.