# NTSB ANC08LA067: de Havilland DHC-2, N62355, Juneau, AK, May 11, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 10, 2008, 17:30 local (May 11, 2008, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Juneau, AK
- Coordinates: 58.354999, -134.576385
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.3550&lon=-134.5764&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA-AL JNU FSDO 05
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68010
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC08LA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68010/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08LA067

## Probable cause

Structural damage to the airplane as the result of a birdstrike.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2808002), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Birdstrike](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901) (defining event); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md?model=2808002), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/901/sequence.md)

## Analysis

During an on-demand air taxi flight, the pilot was approaching a seaplane base for landing in a float-equipped airplane when it collided with a large bird. An FAA airworthiness inspector, Juneau Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), reported that the operator informed him of a collision with the bird that resulted in structural damage to the right wing leading edge.

## Factual narrative

On May 10, 2008, about 1730 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped de Havilland DHC-2 airplane, N62355, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a large bird during the landing approach, about 3/4 mile southwest of the Juneau International Seaplane base, Juneau, 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 operated by Ward Air Inc., Juneau. The airline transport certificated pilot, and the two passengers, were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Funter Bay Seaplane base, about 1700.

On May 13, A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector, Juneau Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), reported that the operator informed him of a collision with a bird that resulted in structural damage to the right wing leading edge.  The pilot did not submit an NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62355](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N62355), registered now, S/N 1045, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland DHC-2
- Registry model: [Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A)](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-dhc-2-mk-i-l20a) (registry code 2808002) (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: 1045
- Engines: Pratt and Whitney R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Ward Air Inc.
- Registered owner: Ward Air Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PANR, Funter Bay, AK
- Destination: PAJN, Juneau, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: PAJN, Juneau International

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 9,900 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,600 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.70 inHg
- Observed at: PAJN

## 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 20080510837059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080510837059A), May 10, 2008: Dhav L20A, Juneau, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) On approach 3/4 miles sw of the Juneau float pond struck a bird causing substantial damage to the leading edge of the right wing.

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.

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