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GAA19CA562

2019-09-20 · Kotzebue, Alaska, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport OTZ

Current FAA registration · N67112

Make / Model
DEHAVILLAND BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1
Year of manufacture
1955 · 64 years old at event
Engine
P&W R-985 SERIES (450 hp)
Seats / Engines
8 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20000614
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A8E205

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff from water after the airplane impacted a submerged object, which resulted in insufficient airspeed for liftoff and led to the pilot steering the airplane toward a mud embankment to avoid rocks.

Factual narrative

The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff from a lake, after the floats came up on the step, the right float struck a submerged bog or tundra which resulted in a brief deceleration of speed. After the float cleared the submerged bog, the airplane accelerated again, but the airspeed was not sufficient for liftoff, so the pilot aborted the takeoff. As the airplane approached rocks at the north edge of the lake, he steered the airplane to the right onto a mud embankment and slid to a stop short of the adjacent airport's taxiway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that, during takeoff from a lake and after the floats came up on the step, the right float struck a submerged bog, which resulted in a brief deceleration of airspeed. After the float cleared the submerged bog, the airplane accelerated again, but the airspeed was not sufficient for liftoff, so the pilot aborted the takeoff. As the airplane approached rocks at the edge of the lake, he steered the airplane right onto a mud embankment, and the airplane slid to a stop short of an adjacent taxiway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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 Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Delayed action-Pilot - C
  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
  • C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Hidden/submerged object-Effect on operation - C
  • C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-Wet/muddy terrain-Effect on operation - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2019_GAA19CA562.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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