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ANC13CA087

2013-08-27 · Bethel, Alaska, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Current FAA registration · N734Q

Make / Model
DEHAVILLAND DHC-2 MK. I(L20A)
Year of manufacture
1958 · 55 years old at event
Engine
P&W R-985 SERIES (450 hp)
Seats / Engines
8 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19990225
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A9DB45

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and crosswind compensation during landing.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that while landing the float-equipped airplane on a river, there was a left quartering headwind present and the water condition was choppy. The pilot stated that as the airplane touched down on the water, it yawed to the left and the right wing struck the water, which resulted in structural damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that while landing the float-equipped airplane on a river, there was a left quartering headwind present and the water condition was choppy. The pilot stated that as the airplane touched down on the water, it yawed to the left and the right wing struck the water, which resulted in structural damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Crosswind correction-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2013_ANC13CA087.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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