# NTSB ANC11CA057: Dehavilland DHC-2 MK 1, N561TA, Talkeetna, AK, June 27, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 26, 2011, 16:30 local (Jun 27, 2011, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Talkeetna, AK
- Coordinates: 62.966667, -150.733337
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.9667&lon=-150.7333&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 8 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA ANC FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 81036
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC11CA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81036/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81036
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA057

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff.

## Findings

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

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that while departing from a snow-covered glacier, in a tailwheel and wheel penetration ski-equipped airplane, the main and tail skis struck a bump just as the airplane became airborne. A postflight inspection revealed substantial damage to the tailwheel bulkhead and fuselage. The pilot indicated there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that while departing from a snow-covered glacier, in a tailwheel and wheel penetration ski-equipped airplane, the main and tail skis struck a bump just as the airplane became airborne. A postflight inspection revealed substantial damage to the tailwheel bulkhead and fuselage. The pilot indicated there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N561TA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: DEHAVILLAND DHC-2 MK 1
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 581
- Airframe hours: 10734
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney 985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Talkeetna Air Taxi Inc
- Registered owner: Talkeetna Air Taxi Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 29, 2011, 43 hours before
- Departed: Talkeetna, AK
- Destination: PATK, Talkeetna, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 3,400 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 3,300 as pilot in command, 104 in the last 90 days, 59 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Temperature: 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.53 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 20110626012799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110626012799A), Jun 26, 2011: Dehavilland DHC-2 MK 1, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. At approximately 0045 zulu (1645 adt) on 6/26/2011, N561TA, a Dehavilland DHC-2-MKI beaver, operating pursuant to §135 regulations and under visual flight…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 10, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81036. 392 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 392 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352219&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.

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