# Accident 20230422004969A: Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1, Soldotna, AK, April 22, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 22, 2023, 13:16 local time
- Place: Soldotna, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 60.4755° N, 151.0434° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.4755&lon=-151.0434&mi=10
- Aircraft: N454FU, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N454FU) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1 (registry code 2800102, https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-beaver-dhc-2-mk-1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney R-985 series (registry code 52008, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DEHAVILLAND BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1
- Reported engine: P&W R-985 SERIES
- People aboard: 5
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 267 total, 42 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC23LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA030) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230422004969A

## Narrative

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

PILOT ATTEMPTED TO DRAG HIS TIRES ON A SNOW-COVERED AIRSTRIP TO SEE HOW DEEP THE SNOW WAS INSTEAD OF ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON DRY PARALLEL RUNWAY IN ORDER TO SAVE THE WEAR ON HIS TUNDRA TIRES.  UPON TOUCHING DOWN ON THE LEFT WHEEL THE SNOW PULLED THE AIRCRAFTS OTHER WHEEL INTO THE SNOW.  THE AIRCRAFT THEN TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 297 FEET BEFORE FLIPPING OVER ONTO ITS BACK.  PILOT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO PRIOR INDICATION OF MECHANICAL ISSUES WITH THE AIRCRAFT.

## 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 ANC23LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA030), Apr 22, 2023: Dehavilland Beaver DHC-2 MK.1 (N454FU), Soldotna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s selection of an unsuitable landing site, which resulted in the main landing gear wheels breaking through the snow and the airplane nosing over.

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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