# Accident 20210522009939A: Dehavilland DHC-2 MK.I, Oak Island, MN, May 22, 2021

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 22, 2021, 18:30 local time
- Place: Oak Island, MN
- Airport: Water Off Sunset Lodge
- Damage: Minor damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 49.3148° N, 94.8573° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=49.3148&lon=-94.8573&mi=10
- Aircraft: N218RD, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N218RD) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Dehavilland DHC-2 MK.I (registry code 2808007, https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-dhc-2-mk-i) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-14B (registry code 51654, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-an-14b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DEHAVILLAND DHC-2 MK.I
- Reported engine: P & W R-985-AN-14B
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN21LA244](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA244) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210522009939A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

2021-05-22 N218RD, DHC-2 BEAVER, ON AMPHIBIOUS EDO FLOATS, DEPARTED WARROAD MN (KRRT) FOR A 37 MILE FLIGHT TO SUNSET LODGE ON OAK ISLAND IN THE NORTHWEST ANGLE AREA OF MN.

AT 1830L, THE AIRCRAFT LINED UP FOR FINAL TO LAND IN THE BAY JUST SOUTH OF THE LODGE. THE PIC STATED THAT THE GEAR INDICATOR LIGHTS SHOWED GEAR UP AND THAT THERE IS NOT ONE LIGHT FOR EACH WHEEL, BUT 2 LIGHTS TOTAL. HIS FLYING PARTNER HAD REMOVED HIS SHOULDER HARNESS TO VIDEO TAPE THE LANDING. THE PIC'S GIRLFRIEND WAS IN THE BACK SEAT.

UPON TOUCHDOWN THE NOSE DUG IN AND THE AIRCRAFT IMMEDIATELY WENT UP ON IT'S NOSE. THE PIC STATED THAT HE AND THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER EGRESSED THE AIRCRAFT. HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLOATING NOSE DOWN, TAIL STRAIGHT UP AND MAINTAINED THIS POSITION FOR A FEW MINUTES BEFORE THE TAIL CAME DOWN AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS UPSIDE DOWN. THE PASSENGER IN THE BACK SEAT WAS HANGING IN THE SEATBELT AND COULD NOT RELEASE HERSELF. AS THE TAIL CAME DOWN THE PIC WAS ABLE TO REACH IN AND RELEASE THE AFT PASSENGER'S BELT, AND ASSIST IN HER EGRESS.

THE PASSENGER IN THE COPILOT SEAT SUFFERED A NECK INJURY ON INITIAL IMPACT, BUT IT WAS UNCLEAR TO HIM WHAT HE IMPACTED FOR THE NOSE DUG IN VERY QUICKLY. THE PIC GOT OUT AND WAS UNINJURED. THE PASSENGER IN THE BACK SUFFERED BELT BRUISING.

THE PASSENGER WITH THE NECK INJURY WAS PLACED IN A BOAT ON TOP OF A MATTRESS AND DRIVEN OVER 8 MILES OF OPEN WATER. HE THEN WAS GROUND TRANSPORTED THROUGH CANADA AND AFTER APPROXIMATELY 7 HOURS REACHED THE HOSPITAL IN ROSEAU, MN. HIS CONDITION REQUIRED IMMEDIATE AIRLIFT TO A LARGER HOSPITAL IN FARGO, ND. HE SPENT 5 DAYS HOSPITALIZED. THIS LEVEL OF INJURY IS CAUSAL TO THIS INCIDENT BEING CLASSIFIED AS AN ACCIDENT, WITH MINOR DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT.

THE PIC STATED THAT AFTER THEY DID A POST CRASH INSPECTION A LEAK IN LEFT MAIN HYDRAULIC ACTUATOR WAS DISCOVERED. HE BELIEVES THIS WOULD HAVE CAUSED RELEASE OF HYDRAULIC PRESSURE ALLOWING FOR THE LEFT MAIN WHEEL TO HANG DOWN DURING THE LANDING. POST CRASH PICTURES SHOWED THAT THE SINGLE LEFT WHEEL WAS DOWN. THE RIGHT MAIN WHEEL AND FRONT TIRES WERE RETRACTED. HAND PUMPING THE SYSTEM YOU COULD SEE THE HYDRAULIC FLUID SQUIRTING OUT OF THE LEFT MAIN ACTUATOR. THE PASSENGER WHO IS ALSO A PILOT, DID STATE THAT THE PIC ADDED FLUID TO THE MAIN HYDRAULIC RESEVOIR FOR THE SYSTEM PRIOR TO THIS FLIGHT PRESUMABLY DUE TO A LOWER THAN DESIRED LEVEL.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN21LA244](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA244), May 22, 2021: Dehavilland DHC-2 MK.I (N218RD), Oak Island, MN, minor damage. Probable cause: The failure of an O-ring in the landing gear system, which resulted in the inadvertent extension of the main wheel in the amphibious float. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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