Event ANC13CA098

Factual narrative

The pilot of a float-equipped airplane reported that he was attempting to takeoff from a river, in the same direction as the 3 to 5-knot current, with a 5-knot tailwind. During the takeoff run, as the airplane neared a bend in the river, it encountered a 15 to 20-knot quartering tailwind gust. He said that the airplane lost rudder authority due to the wind gust, and he was unable to steer around the river bend. The airplane subsequently struck the riverbank and came to rest upright. During the impact, the left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. The pilot of a float-equipped airplane reported that he was attempting to takeoff from a river, in the same direction as the 3 to 5-knot current, with a 5-knot tailwind. During the takeoff run, as the airplane neared a bend in the river, it encountered a 15 to 20-knot quartering tailwind gust. He said that the airplane lost rudder authority due to the wind gust, and he was unable to steer around the river bend. The airplane subsequently struck the riverbank and came to rest upright. During the impact, the left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Not specified
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Tailwind-Not specified