# NTSB ANC13CA037: Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A), N995SP, Anchorage, AK, March 26, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 26, 2013, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Anchorage, AK - Coordinates: 61.171112, -149.992218 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1711&lon=-149.9922&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-to runway: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 4, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 86703 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC13CA037 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86703/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86703 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13CA037 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while taxiing on a snow-covered taxiway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A), 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2808002), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2808002), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-to runway: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A), 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2808002), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Taxi-to runway: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A), 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2808002), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the wheel-/ski-equipped airplane was taxiing for departure on a snow-covered taxiway when he lost directional control in the deep snow and veered to the left, colliding with a parked airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and lift strut. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The operator wrote that the accident may have been prevented if he had waited for the taxiway to be cleared of snow. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the wheel/ski equipped airplane was taxiing for departure on a snow-covered taxiway, when he lost directional control in the deep snow, and veered to the left colliding with a parked airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and lift strut. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the operator stated that the accident may have been prevented if they had waited for the taxiway to be cleared of snow. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N995SP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N995SP), registered now, S/N 995, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DEHAVILLAND DHC-2 MK. I(L20A) - 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: 995 - Airframe hours: 15514 - Engines: P&W R-985 SERIES 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Joe Schuster, doing business as Sportsman Air Service - Registered owner: Sportsmans Leasing LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 14, 2013 - Departed: Z41, Anchorage, AK - Destination: Skwentna, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: Z41, Lake Hood ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 16,200 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 16,100 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken - Temperature: 7 °F, dew point -11 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: PANC, 1 nm away ## 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 20130326005831A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130326005831A), Mar 26, 2013: Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A), Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. N995SP was taxing for takeoff with three passengers on board, in the vicinity of lake lot #63. The snow was so deep that the pilot lost control of the aircraft… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 20, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86703. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392220&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.