# NTSB ANC15CA075: Dehavilland Beaver DHC 2 MK.1, N55WE, Arctic Village, AK, September 3, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 3, 2015, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Arctic Village, AK - Coordinates: 68, -144.520004 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=68.0000&lon=-144.5200&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 14, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 92464 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC15CA075 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92464/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92464 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15CA075 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable, off-airport site, which resulted in a nose over. ## 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: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2800102), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=2800102), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition; cases with it: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=2800102), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2800102), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2800102), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while departing in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, from a rough and uneven tundra-covered off-airport site, it failed to gain sufficient airspeed, and he aborted the takeoff. The airplane's main wheels sunk into the soft tundra-covered terrain, and the airplane subsequently nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the wings. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while departing in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, from a rough and uneven tundra-covered off-airport site, it failed to gain sufficient airspeed, and he aborted the takeoff. The airplane's main wheels sunk into the soft tundra-covered terrain, and the airplane subsequently nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the wings. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot stated that the accident may have been prevented if he would have selected a more suitable off-airport site. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N55WE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55WE), registered now, S/N 273, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DEHAVILLAND BEAVER DHC 2 MK.1 (MARKI) - Registry model: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-beaver-dhc-2-mk-1) (registry code 2800102) (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: 273 - Year built: 1952 - Airframe hours: 13981.9 - Engines: P&W R-985 SERIES 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Kruse Jeff, doing business as Bushwhacker Air Service - Registered owner: Kruse Jeff - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 27, 2015 - Departed: Arctic Village, AK - Destination: Arctic Village, AK - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,500 total, 350 in this make and model, 3,400 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: PARC ## 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 20150903016459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150903016459A), Sep 3, 2015: Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1, Arctic Village, AK, Substantial damage. Reported that individual flipped aircraft upside down on its back during take-off on a grass,tundra strip. Spoke with the NTSB and after seeing pictures they… ## Other investigations on N55WE (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 ANC24LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA054), Jun 21, 2024: Dehavilland Beaver DHC-2 MK.1 (N55WE), Aleknagik, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain pitch control of the airplane during initial climb. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 7, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92464. 279 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 279 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437305&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.