Amateur-built DHC-2 accident near Iliamna, Alaska, September 19, 1998
On September 19, 1998 at about 3:30 pm local time, a amateur-built DHC-2, registered N700NL, was substantially damaged in an accident near Iliamna, Alaska. It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty wind conditions, and his attempted flight into adverse weather. Factors associated with the accident are high and gusty winds.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 19, 1998 · about 3:30 pm local time
- Place
- Iliamna, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built DHC-2
- Registration
- N700NL · registry record · serial 1804
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported he was attempting to takeoff to the east from a remote lake in a float equipped airplane. He estimated the prevailing winds to be easterly at 35 knots, with gusts to 55 knots. Shortly after applying power during the takeoff roll, the pilot said a gust of wind suddenly lifted the right wing, and the airplane rolled over to the left.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 7,000 hours in all; 1,000 in this make and model; 250 in the last 90 days; 90 in the last 30 days; 6,950 as pilot in command; 50 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 5,100 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W R-985-14B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Nondalton AK at 10:00 am
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: dawn
- Wind: from 090° at 35 knots, gusting 55
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,500 ft; scat at 2,000 ft
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.