Scott Spickler photo
By SUZANNE DOWNING
Aug. 14, 2026 – Juneau’s latest glacial outburst flood appears to have spared most homes from serious damage, but the powerful current and debris-filled Mendenhall River claimed one unusual casualty: an Alaska Seaplanes de Havilland Beaver.
The aircraft, tail number N777DH, made an emergency landing due to a mechanical malfunction near the mouth of the Mendenhall River shortly after taking off from the Juneau International Airport floatplane pond Thursday morning.
The landing itself was successful. The trouble came afterward.
According to Alaska Seaplanes, the Beaver touched down in the river at approximately 11:17 am Thursday. Only the pilot was aboard, and the pilot was not injured.
After landing safely, however, the aircraft was caught in the heavy river current and drifted into a large root ball floating downstream. The collision with the flood debris toppled the plane and left it stranded in the river.
The Mendenhall was still carrying substantial amounts of water and debris following the recent glacial lake outburst flood from Suicide Basin. Although Juneau officials reported relatively limited damage to homes compared with the widespread destruction that had been feared, the swollen river remained swift and dangerous.
Alaska Seaplanes crews worked to recover the aircraft, ultimately calling on TEMSCO Helicopters for assistance.
On Friday, the company reported that the Beaver had been successfully lifted from the river and returned to Juneau International Airport.
“Alaska Seaplanes’ aircraft N777DH has been recovered from the Mendenhall River and is back at the Juneau International Airport,” the company said. “Seaplanes maintenance crew are now examining and assessing damage to the aircraft. Many thanks to Temsco Helicopters for assisting in the recovery.”
Photos of the operation show the Beaver suspended beneath a TEMSCO helicopter as it was carried back toward the airport. A later photo shows the distinctive yellow-and-blue aircraft upright on the tarmac, where maintenance crews began evaluating the damage.
Alaska Seaplanes has not yet said what caused the emergency immediately after takeoff or how seriously the aircraft was damaged after striking the floating root ball.
The de Havilland Beaver is a workhorse of Alaska aviation and remains widely used for passenger, freight and charter operations throughout the state.
For the pilot, the incident ended safely. For the airplane, the emergency landing was only the beginning of the ordeal.
