# NTSB ANC01LA062: Noorduyn UC-64A, N225BL, Seward, AK, June 4, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 3, 2001, 19:00 local (Jun 4, 2001, 03:00 UTC) - Place: Seward, AK - Coordinates: 60.016666, -148.666671 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.0167&lon=-148.6667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 6 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 52407 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC01LA062 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52407/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA062 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent stall of the airplane during takeoff. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's inadequate weather evaluation, his inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and turbulence. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The commerical pilot reported to the NTSB that prior to departure he briefed the passengers of the anticipated turbulence. He said that he taxied the float-equipped airplane to the farthest point on the lake that would allow the maximum amount of takeoff run. He said that just after takeoff, about 150 feet above the water, a very strong gust of wind pushed the nose of the airplane to the left. He applied full right rudder in an attempt to regain control, but the nose of the airplane continued to the left, and the left wing stalled. The pilot said: "The airplane just stopped flying, and we just fell from about 100 feet." As the airplane's floats struck the surface of the lake, the left side of the fuselage buckled, and the left wing struck the water. ## Factual narrative On June 3, 2001, about 1900 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped Noorduyn Norseman UC-64A airplane, N225BL, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from a remote tidal lake, about 28 miles southeast of Seward, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) on-demand passenger flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The airplane was registered to the pilot, and operated by Bear Lake Air, Inc., Seward. The certificated commercial pilot, and the five passengers aboard, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight departed Bear Lake, in Seward, about 1730, en route to the accident lake. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on June 4, the pilot reported that during the flight from Bear Lake, strong winds and turbulence were encountered. He added that after landing at the accident lake he taxied to shore, loaded his passengers, and briefed the passengers of the anticipated turbulence. He added that he taxied the airplane to the farthest point on the lake that would allow the maximum amount of takeoff run. He said that just after takeoff, about 150 feet above the water, a very strong gust of wind pushed the nose of the airplane to the left. He applied full right rudder in an attempt to regain control, but the nose of the airplane continued to the left, and the left wing stalled. The pilot said: "The airplane just stopped flying, and we just fell from about 100 feet." As the airplane's floats struck the surface of the lake, the left side of the fuselage buckled, and the left wing struck the water. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, and minor damage to the left wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N225BL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N225BL-2021-07-03), registration cancelled 2021-07-03, S/N 542, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Noorduyn Aviation UC-64A - Registry model: [Noorduyn UC-64A](https://openairdocs.org/model/noorduyn-uc-64a) (registry code 6330204) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 542 - Airframe hours: 15336.9 - Engines: P&W R1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Manufactured Homes Of Alaska Inc, doing business as Bear Lake Air - Registered owner: Dennis T. Perry - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 22, 2000, 17.1 hours before - Departed: SWD, Seward, AK - Destination: SWD, Seward, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,200 total, 350 in this make and model, 5,100 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 12 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20010603039719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010603039719A), Jun 3, 2001: Noordn UC64A, Seward, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) On June 3, 2001, about 1900 adt, a float-equipped noorduun norseman UC64A, N225BL, sustained damage during takeoff from a remote tidal lake, 28 NM se of… ## Other investigations on N225BL (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 ANC09LA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09LA065), Jul 11, 2009: Noorduyn UC-64A (N225BL), Akiachak, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to the failure of a crankshaft component, resulting in an off-airport landing. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.