Amateur-built DHC2 accident near Anchorage, Alaska, July 26, 2022
On July 26, 2022 at about 5:15 pm local time, a 1957 amateur-built DHC2, registered N9776R, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Anchorage, Alaska (Lake Hood airport). It was an aerial observation flight under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 2 people were seriously injured and 4 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
Preview. This page is not yet listed for search engines.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting wind conditions which resulted in the wing exceeding its critical angle of attack, a loss of control and impact with the water.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 26, 2022 · about 5:15 pm local time
- Place
- Anchorage, Alaska · Lake Hood · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured and 4 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built DHC2, built 1957
- Registration
- N9776R · registry record · serial 1126
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, he was departing in the float-equipped airplane in strong gusty wind conditions. After accelerating on the water for about 3 seconds, the airplane suddenly became airborne and crabbed into the wind about 60° to 90° from the intended takeoff path and started to climb as it continued to track away from the intended flight path. As the climb continued, the airplane stalled and impacted the water in a nose low attitude which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
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
What happened, in order
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Response/compensation
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 1,709 hours in all; 142 in this make and model; 251 in the last 90 days; 94 in the last 30 days; 1,623 as pilot in command; 673 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 18, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 16,072.7 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 25, 2022
- Maximum gross weight: 5,600 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt And Whitney R985 AN 14-B (piston); 10,126 hours total
- Operator: Alaska Skyways Inc
The flight
- Destination: King Salmon AK
- Runway 14, 5,400 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 10 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 am from PALH
Weather report (METAR): PALH 261753Z 20010G16KT 150V230 10SM CLR 13/04 A3020 RMK AO2 SLP226 T01280044 10128 20106 51020
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 | 3 | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ANC22LA063.