# NTSB ANC13CA087: Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A), N734Q, Bethel, AK, August 27, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 27, 2013, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Bethel, AK - Coordinates: 60.781944, -161.743057 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.7819&lon=-161.7431&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 19, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 87887 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC13CA087 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87887/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87887 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13CA087 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and crosswind compensation during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=2808002), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A), 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2808002), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093) (defining event); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A), 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=2808002), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while landing the float-equipped airplane on a river, there was a left quartering headwind present and the water condition was choppy. The pilot stated that as the airplane touched down on the water, it yawed to the left and the right wing struck the water, which resulted in structural damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while landing the float-equipped airplane on a river, there was a left quartering headwind present and the water condition was choppy. The pilot stated that as the airplane touched down on the water, it yawed to the left and the right wing struck the water, which resulted in structural damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N734Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N734Q), registered now, S/N 1395, built 1958 (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: 1395 - Airframe hours: 9348 - Engines: P&W R-985 SERIES 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: Ptarmigan Air LLC - Registered owner: Ptarmigan Air LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 3, 2013, 70 hours before - Departed: Bethel, AK - Destination: Bethel, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, waiver time limited special; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,065 total, 220 in this make and model, 990 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 12 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft broken - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: PABE, 3 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 20130827018139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130827018139A), Aug 27, 2013: Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A), Bethel, AK, Substantial damage. On August 27, 2013 the airman, sole occupant of the aircraft, was repositioning company aircraft, N734Q, a DHC-2 beaver on straight floats, from h marker lake… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 26, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87887. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405231&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.