About 13:50 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped DeHavilland Otter was damaged when it struck terrain at the edge of a lake about 30 miles west of Port Alsworth. The four on board were not injured as the Part 135 flight attempted to take off from the 2,000-foot long lake. The pilot began the takeoff run with the flaps halfway extended, and then when the airplane was on the step he inadvertently retracted the flaps instead of extending them. The airplane did not get airborne, the pilot retarded the power lever to idle, and the airplane struck the four feet high bank at the end of the lake.
Aug. 20, Port Alsworth, Alaska / Dehavilland DHC-3T Otter
About 13:50 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped DeHavilland Otter was damaged when it struck terrain at the edge of a lake about 30 miles west of Port Alsworth. The four on board were not injured as the Part 135 flight attempted to take off from the 2,000-foot long lake. The pilot began the takeoff run with the flaps halfway extended, and then when the airplane was on the step he inadvertently retracted the flaps instead of extending them. The airplane did not get airborne, the pilot retarded the power lever to idle, and the airplane struck the four feet high bank at the end of the lake....
Key Takeaways:
- A DeHavilland Otter float plane sustained damage after striking a 4-foot high bank during a takeoff attempt from a lake near Port Alsworth, Alaska.
- The four occupants on board the Part 135 flight were not injured in the incident.
- The accident was attributed to pilot error, as the pilot inadvertently retracted the flaps instead of extending them during the takeoff run, preventing the aircraft from becoming airborne.
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