| Crash location | 59.030556°N, 156.666667°W
Reported location is a long distance from the NTSB's reported nearest city. This often means that the location has a typo, or is incorrect. |
| Nearest city | King Salmon, AK
58.688333°N, 156.661389°W 23.6 miles away |
| Tail number | N65223 |
|---|---|
| Accident date | 07 Jun 2002 |
| Aircraft type | de Havilland DHC-2 |
| Additional details: | None |
On June 7, 2002, about 1730 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped deHavilland DHC-2 airplane, N65223, sustained substantial damage when the right wing struck the water during taxi for takeoff from a remote river, about 21 miles northwest of King Salmon, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area business flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the No See Um Lodge Inc., King Salmon. The commercial certificated pilot, and the three passengers, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. VFR company flight following procedures were in effect.
During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on June 8, the pilot reported that he was taxiing for takeoff from the lodge on the Alagnak River to transport three lodge employees to the Kvichak River. The pilot said that during a right turn, a combination of river current and strong winds lifted the left wing. The right wingtip and the right elevator struck the water. The wing was bent upward about 30 degrees. The elevator was bent mid-span. The pilot said the wind was from the east about 20 knots, with gusts to 30 knots.
The pilot's failure to compensate for a crosswind while taxiing, resulting in the right wing striking the water. A contributing factor in the accident was the presence of a crosswind.