Amateur-built BEAVER DHC 2 accident near Mountain Village, Alaska, September 22, 2019
On September 22, 2019 at about 10:50 pm local time, a 1955 amateur-built BEAVER DHC 2, registered N77KZ, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Mountain Village, Alaska. It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper takeoff configuration due to distraction, which resulted in the airplane’s failure to become airborne and its subsequent collision with rising terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to use the Before Takeoff checklist.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 22, 2019 · about 10:50 pm local time
- Place
- Mountain Village, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built BEAVER DHC 2 No Series, built 1955
- Registration
- N77KZ · registry record · serial 950
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot in the float-equipped airplane reported that he did not extend the flaps before he accelerated for takeoff from a lake. He added that, shortly after coming on step, he rolled the ailerons left and applied back pressure to the elevator to "become airborne." However, the airplane did not become airborne, and the floats subsequently impacted the shoreline. The airplane then bounced, skidded to a stop, impacted rising terrain, and came to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left elevator. The pilot reported that he had not maintained a sterile cockpit during takeoff and that he failed to complete the Before Takeoff checklist. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane 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
- Miscellaneous/other during prior to flight
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
- Abnormal runway contact during takeoff
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Attention › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › LE flap control system › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Configuration › Incorrect use/operation
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of checklist › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Rough terrain › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,200 hours in all; 830 in this make and model; 250 in the last 90 days; 150 in the last 30 days; 2,100 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 29, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,333.6 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, September 14, 2019
- Maximum gross weight: 5,370 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-14B (piston); 9,800 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Mountain Village AK
- Destination: Mountain Village AK
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 3,800 ft; a few clouds at 2,500 ft
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Observation at 11:02 pm from PAMO, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on October 18, 2019. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photo | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.