# NTSB ANC09CA050: De Havilland DHC-2, N915RC, Anchorage, AK, June 7, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 7, 2009, 13:50 local (21:50 UTC) - Place: Anchorage, AK - Coordinates: 61.18, -149.971939 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1800&lon=-149.9719&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 10, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA Anchorage FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73975 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC09CA050 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73975/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73975 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09CA050 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Awareness of condition; cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot was taking off in the float plane from the lake's west waterway. The airplane was on step, gaining airspeed, and the takeoff run seemed normal to the pilot. The airplane was nearing takeoff speed, and proceeding directly down the waterway, when it encountered a right quartering tailwind gust that lifted up the right wing and float. The airplane veered to the left toward a steep bank, and the pilot was unable to correct the deviation with the rudder. He did not feel that he could reduce power as he would slam into the bank. The airplane lifted off, but the float collided with the top of the bank. The airplane cartwheeled about 160 degrees to the left before coming to rest on its right side. It sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and floats. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures. Reported wind at the airport approximately 3 minutes after the accident was from 020 degrees magnetic at 3 knots, with no recorded gusts. ## Factual narrative The private pilot was operating the floatplane under the provisions of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. He received clearance to takeoff from the west waterway. The airplane was on step, gaining airspeed, and the takeoff run seemed normal to him. The airplane was nearing takeoff speed and proceeding directly down the waterway, when it encountered a right quartering tailwind gust that lifted up the right wing and float. The airplane veered to the left toward a steep bank, and the pilot was unable to correct the deviation with the rudder. He did not feel that he could reduce power as he would slam into the bank. The airplane lifted off, but the float collided with the top of the bank. The airplane cart wheeled about 160 degrees to the left before coming to rest on its right side. It sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and floats. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures. Reported wind at the airport approximately 3 minutes after the accident was from 020 degrees magnetic at 3 knots, with no recorded gusts. ## Aircraft - Registration: N915RC (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: DE HAVILLAND DHC-2 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 70 - Airframe hours: 2350 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-985 440 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James M Eule - Registered owner: James M Eule - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 14, 2009, 5 hours before - Departed: ALH, Anchorage, AK - Destination: Bulchitna Lake, AK - Airport: ALH, Lake Hood Seaplane, runway 27, water ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 512 total, 21 in this make and model, 406 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: PALH ## 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 20090607047169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090607047169A), Jun 7, 2009: Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted takeoff from Lake Hood Seaplane Base, Anchorage, AK (lhd) at 1333 adt, June 7, 2009 in a DHC-2 beaver on floats. There were three passengers in… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 21, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73975. 611 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 611 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315803&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.