Christen Industries Husky A-1 accident near Bethel, Alaska, June 25, 2004
On June 25, 2004 at about 10:00 pm local time, a Christen Industries Husky A-1, registered N9591C, was substantially damaged in an accident near Bethel, Alaska. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain during the ensuing aborted landing. A factor associated with the accident is the pilot's misjudgment of the airplane's speed and distance.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 25, 2004 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Bethel, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Christen Industries Husky A-1
- Registration
- N9591C · registry record · serial 1077
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot reported that the float-equipped airplane touched down on the surface of the lake "somewhat longer than intended." He realized the airplane could not stop in the remaining distance, and he applied full power and aborted the landing. The airplane was unable to out climb the approaching terrain, and the left float struck an embankment as the airplane passed over the shoreline. After striking the embankment, the airplane skidded along the ground and into a pond. The airplane came to rest in an upright position, but the left wing and lift strut were damaged. The pilot stated there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 253 hours in all; 153 in this make and model; 22 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days; 139 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 15, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,914 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 2004; 13 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,980 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-C1G (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PABE Bethel AK at 3:30 pm
- Destination: Bethel AK
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 4,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.