# Accident 20230725009879A: Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A), Point Baker, AK, July 25, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 25, 2023, 17:10 local time
- Place: Point Baker, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Departure Roll
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: K5WA
- Location: 56.3519° N, 133.6226° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.3519&lon=-133.6226&mi=10
- Aircraft: N6782L, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6782L) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A) (registry code 2808002, https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-dhc-2-mk-i-l20a) (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 DHC-2 MK. I(L20A)
- Reported engine: P&W R-985 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 3,700 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 250 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC23LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA057) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230725009879A

## Narrative

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

PILOT ATTEMPTED TO CONDUCT A DOWNWIND TAKEOFF WITH AN APPROXIMATE 10 KNOT TAILWIND OUT OF POINT BAKER, AK.  THE WAY THE COVE IS SITUATED MAKES FOR A ONE WAY IN AND ONE WAY OUT SITUATION.  AS THE PILOT STARTED HIS TAKEOFF RUN AND JUST AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS COMING UP ON STEP, A WIND GUST HIT THE AIRCRAFT CAUSING THE PILOT TO LOSE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.  THE PILOT ABORTED THE TAKE OFF, BUT COULD NOT REGAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PRIOR TO THE LEFT WING STRUCK A POLE ON THE OUTSIDE OF A FLOAT HOUSE.  ONCE THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE POLE, THE AIRCRAFT TURNED 90 DEGREES TO THE LEFT FORCING THE RIGHT WING AROUND.  THE RIGHT WING THEN STRUCK THE FLYBRIDGE OF A COMMERCIAL FISHING VESSEL, AND THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO A STOP.

THERE IS NO WEATHER MONITORING EQUIPMENT IN THE AREA, BUT WITNESSES, WEATHER OBSERVERS, RESIDENTS REPORTED STRONG WINDS WITH WIND GUSTS.

SEE SAS TASK T-AL05-FY23-0124 AND LINKED SAS ACTIVITY AL05202301206 FOR FURTHER DETAILS

## 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 ANC23LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA057), Jul 26, 2023: Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A) (N6782L), Point Baker, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff with a quartering tailwind.

## Other reports on N6782L (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19940525032609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940525032609A), May 25, 1994: Dhav DHC2MK1 (N6782L), Friday Harbor, WA. During docking pilot got out on float to avoid bumping dock. Pilots hand was struck by last turns of propeller.

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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