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.
NTSB analysis
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.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC11LA084 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 21, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Dillingham, Alaska
- Nearest airport
- Dillingham (PADL)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Grumman G-44
- N-number
- N139F
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 135 (charter and commuter)
Other records under this N-number
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.