# NTSB ANC14LA058: Dehavilland DHC 2, N62197, Talkeetna, AK, July 31, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 30, 2014, 22:30 local (Jul 31, 2014, 06:30 UTC) - Place: Talkeetna, AK - Coordinates: 62.841388, -149.105834 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.8414&lon=-149.1058&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration; ANC FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89799 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC14LA058 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89799/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89799 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14LA058 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection that did not detect that the bulk fuel tank was full and led to an unanticipated heavy airplane weight and his failure to use the entire soft, wet, and muddy airstrip length for takeoff, which resulted in a takeoff overrun. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2 MK.I, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=2808007), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [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, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2808007), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Terrain: wet/muddy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2 MK.I, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md?model=2808007), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md) - [Terrain: wet/muddy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2 MK.I, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md?model=2808007), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft loading event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2 MK.I, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010/sequence.md?model=2808007), [All aircraft, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2 MK.I, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2808007), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2 MK.I, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2808007), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2 MK.I, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2808007), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane had been outfitted with a large, bulk fuel tank to transport fuel to remote sites. After a fuel delivery, the airplane departed from a soft, wet, and muddy sod-covered airstrip that was 1,400 ft long and 50 ft wide with a slight downhill grade. The pilot reported that, during the takeoff run, the airplane failed to become airborne before reaching the end of the airstrip, so he aborted the takeoff. The airplane overran the airstrip and sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The operator stated that, before the fuel delivery, the airplane was loaded with about 180 gallons of aviation fuel and that, after arriving at the airstrip, the pilot got out of the airplane, connected a hose and transfer pump system to the bulk fuel tank, and operated the transfer pump for about 5 minutes. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed that all 180 gallons of fuel were still in the bulk fuel tank. According to the operator, the pilot did not open the drain valve to allow the tank to drain nor did he verify that the tank was empty before departing. Further, the operator stated that the pilot departed about midfield using only the last 750 ft of airstrip that remained; the estimated takeoff distance for the flight was between 800 and 900 ft. ## Factual narrative On July 30, 2014, about 2230 Alaska daylight time, a de Havilland DHC-2 airplane, N62197, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain during an aborted takeoff from a remote airstrip at the High Lake Lodge, about 60 miles northeast of Talkeetna, Alaska. The pilot and one passenger were uninjured. The airplane was registered to Gattis Aircraft, Inc., and operated by Glenn Air, Inc., Palmer, Alaska, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for the Wasilla Airport, Wasilla, Alaska. According to the operator's president/chief pilot, the airplane had been outfitted with a large, internally-mounted bulk fuel tank, used to transport aviation fuel to a company owned remote fuel concession at High Lake Lodge. He added that the dirt and sod-covered airstrip at High Lake Lodge is 1,400 feet long, by 50 feet wide, and it's oriented on an east/west direction, at an elevation of 2,400 feet msl. He noted that the airstrip slopes downward slightly to the east, and at the time of the accident the airstrip was very soft, and covered in mud. The president/chief pilot related that once the accident airplane arrived at the High Lake Lodge Airstrip, the pilot began to transfer the load of 180 gallons of aviation fuel (100LL) to the storage tank using a hose and pump transfer system. He added that the pilot operated the transfer pump for about 5 minutes, but he inadvertently did not open the drain valve to allow the tank to drain. Believing that the bulk fuel tank had been emptied, he disconnected the hose and pump system, and prepared for departure. The president/chief pilot noted that the accident pilot did not visually check the remaining quantity within the bulk fuel tank. In his written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot reported that after arriving at the High Lake Lodge Airstrip, "the fuel handler" directed the unloading of the fuel load from the bulk tank. He added that once the fuel was unloaded, the fuel handler informed him that the tank was empty, so he departed for the return flight to the Wasilla Airport. The pilot reported that his initial takeoff run was to the east and downhill, so the acceleration appeared normal, likely due to the down-sloping grade of the site. However, as the takeoff roll continued, and the airplane approached the departure end of the site, the airplane did not lift off the ground, so he aborted the takeoff. The airplane subsequently overran the departure end of the site, sustaining substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. According to the operator's president/chief pilot, a postaccident examination of the airplane's wreckage revealed that the entire 180 gallons of aviation fuel remained inthe internally-mounted bulk fuel tank. Additionally, witnesses reported that the pilot departed about midfield, with only 750 feet remaining on the wet, muddy, soft airstrip. The president/chief pilot added that given the aircraft and environmental conditions, the estimated takeoff distance required would have be between 850 to 900 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N62197](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N62197), registered now, S/N 1177, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DEHAVILLAND DHC 2 - Registry model: [Dehavilland DHC-2 MK.I](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-dhc-2-mk-i) (registry code 2808007) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-14B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-an-14b) (registry code 51654, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1177 - Year built: 1957 - Airframe hours: 12466.1 - Engines: P & W R-985-AN-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Glenn Air Inc. - Registered owner: Gatti's Aircraft Leasing - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 17, 2014 - Departed: Talkeetna, AK - Destination: IYS, Wasilla, AK - Airport: N/S, High Lake Lodge, runway 09, 1,400 × 50 ft, dirt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 6, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 14,000 total, 75 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 6 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: PAEC, 22 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 20140730015209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140730015209A), Jul 30, 2014: Dehavilland DHC-2 MK.I, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft over ran runway end on departure. Call to chief pilot indicated that the aircraft was at max gross weight. ## Other investigations on N62197 (1) 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. - [NTSB ANC02LA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA051), Jun 13, 2002: de Havilland DHC-2 (N62197), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable taxi area, which resulted in substantial damage to the left elevator when the tailwheel encountered a hole. A factor associated with the accident was… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 15, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89799. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421991&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421992&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation – Operator (dated 8/22/2014) (item 3, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421993&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20%E2%80%93%20Operator%20(dated%208%2F22%2F2014)-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation – Operator (dated 1/27/2015) (item 4, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421994&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20%E2%80%93%20Operator%20(dated%201%2F27%2F2015)-Master.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.