Dehavilland DHC 2 MK.I N676SP accident near Nikolai, Alaska

Probable cause

A loss of directional control during a water takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane was not examined due to the remote accident location.

NTSB analysis

According to the commercial pilot, the flight of two float-equipped company airplanes was proceeding to the river for a passenger and cargo pickup. The accident airplane landed at the primary landing site on the river, and the pilot subsequently instructed the captains of the awaiting boats to move down river to the longer, alternate landing site where the second airplane was waiting. While departing the primary site to reposition the airplane to the alternate landing site and upon reaching the step phase of the takeoff from the river, the airplane's left wing impacted a tree, and the airplane then impacted a riverbank. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage.

The pilot reported that he was unable to achieve sufficient directional control to avoid impact with the tree and riverbank while taking off from the river. Due to the remote accident location, the airplane was not examined.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA15LA281 for the full record.