# NTSB ANC01LA121: de Havilland DHC-2, N10395, Nondalton, AK, August 21, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 21, 2001, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Nondalton, AK - Coordinates: 59.966667, -154.843887 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.9667&lon=-154.8439&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 2, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 53222 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC01LA121 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53222/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA121 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for gusty wind conditions. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's inadequate weather evaluation, and wind gusts. ## 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 - gusts (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The certificated commerical pilot reported to the NTSB that just after takeoff, about 100 feet above the water, a very strong gust of wind rolled the wings of the float-equipped airplane about 90 degrees to the left. He said that he applied full right aileron in an attempt to regain control, but the airplane descended, and the left wing struck the surface of the water. As the airplane's left wing struck the surface of the water, the wing separated from the fuselage, pivoted the airplane 90 degrees to the left, and the right wing struck the water. Both floats were torn from the fuselage, and the airplane eventually sank in shallow water. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage. The pilot reported that wind conditions at the time of the accident were out of the northwest at 20 knots, with gusts to 30 knots. ## Factual narrative On August 21, 2001, about 1430 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped de Havilland DHC-2 airplane, N10395, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from Six Mile Lake, Nondalton, 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 owned by Ernest M. Brooks, and operated by Alaska Air Taxi, Inc., Anchorage, Alaska. The certificated commercial pilot, and the four passengers, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company visual flight rules (VFR) flight following procedures were in effect for the flight to Port Alsworth, Alaska. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on August 21, the pilot reported that just after takeoff, about 100 feet above the water, a very strong gust of wind rolled the wings of the airplane about 90 degrees to the left. He said that he applied full right aileron in an attempt to regain control, but the airplane descended, and the left wing struck the surface of the water. As the airplane's left wing struck the surface of the water, the wing separated from the fuselage, pivoted the airplane 90 degrees to the left, and the right wing stuck the water. Both floats were torn from the fuselage, and the airplane eventually sank in shallow water. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage. The pilot reported that wind conditions at the time of the accident were out of the northwest at 20 knots, with gusts to 30 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N10395](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N10395), registered now, S/N 1354, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: de Havilland DHC-2 - Registry model: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-beaver-dhc-2) (registry code 2800108) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1354 - Airframe hours: 16445 - Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Jack Barber, doing business as Alaska Air Taxi, Inc. - Registered owner: Ernest M. Brooks - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 18, 2001, 23 hours before - Departed: 5NN, Nondalton, AK - Destination: TPO, PORT ALSWORTH, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review May 31, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 5,450 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 5,200 as pilot in command, 243 in the last 90 days, 139 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 20 knots, gusting 30 - Visibility: 20 statute miles ## 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 20010821039669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010821039669A), Aug 21, 2001: Dhav DHC2*, Nondalton, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 21, 2001, a float equipped Dehavilland DHC-2, N10395, sustained substantial damage shortly after takeoff from six-mile lake, Nondalton, Alaska.… ## Other investigations on N10395 (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 ANC85LA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA104), Jun 22, 1985: de Havilland DHC-2 (N10395), Ungalikthluk Rv, AK, substantial damage 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.