Amateur-built Beaver DHC-2 MK.1 accident near Aleknagik, Alaska, August 23, 2005
On August 23, 2005, a amateur-built Beaver DHC-2 MK.1, registered N5333G, was substantially damaged in an accident near Aleknagik, Alaska. It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 6 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control during the takeoff roll, and an encounter with high vegetation and a river bank. Factors associated with the accident are high vegetation and a riverbank.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 23, 2005
- Place
- Aleknagik, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 6 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Beaver DHC-2 MK.1
- Registration
- N5333G · no longer on the register · serial 772
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot attempted to takeoff downstream on a 14 CFR Part 91 business flight in a float equipped airplane. He stated that as he reached his predetermined point to abort the takeoff if not airborne, he continued the takeoff run because he felt the airplane would liftoff soon. The airplane did not become airborne, and while attempting to negotiate a sharp turn in the river while on-step, the airplane collided with alders and the left riverbank, sustaining structural damage to the wings, fuselage, and floats.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,767 hours in all; 1,709 in this make and model; 150 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: April 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10,646 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 2005; 128 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 5,370 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney R985-14B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Aleknagik AK at 7:40 pm
- Destination: Aleknagik AK
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 800 ft
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 5 |
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.