# NTSB ANC18LA025: Dehavilland Beaver DHC 2, N1544, Kodiak, AK, January 24, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 24, 2018, 12:20 local (21:20 UTC) - Place: Kodiak, AK - Coordinates: 58.117778, -152.553054 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.1178&lon=-152.5531&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 3, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96798 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC18LA025 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96798/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96798 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18LA025 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 BEAVER DHC-2, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2800108), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2800108), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2800108), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was landing at an unimproved airstrip after an on-demand flight. He stated that, after a normal touchdown, as he applied the brakes during the ground roll, the airplane "veered hard to the right." He added power in an attempt to gain control of the airplane. Subsequently, the airplane departed the airstrip to the right, traveled through bushes and trees, and came to rest against an embankment. The right wing came to rest against the terrain, and the right main landing gear separated from the gear box, which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot further stated that before the accident flight, the brake system had been flushed and bled due to two brake failures earlier in the day. During the removal of the landing gear components for recovery of the airplane, the brake system was compromised, and no fluid was retained for testing for possible contamination. ## Factual narrative On January 24, 2018, about 1220 Alaska standard time, a tailwheel equipped DeHavilland DHC-2 airplane, N1544, sustained substantial damage following a loss of directional control while landing on an unimproved airstrip, near Kazakof Bay on Afognak Island, Alaska. The airplane was registered to and operated by Andrew Airways Incorporated as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135 on-demand visual flight rules flight when the accident occurred. The commercial pilot sustained no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight departed Kodiak Airport (PADQ), Kodiak, Alaska about 1200 for the approximately 23 nautical mile flight to Kazakof Bay. According to the pilot, after overflying the unimproved airstrip, he landed to the west into an estimated 7 knot wind. The touchdown was normal, however when he applied the brakes during the ground roll, the airplane "veered hard to the right." He then added power in an attempt to gain control of the airplane. Subsequently, the airplane exited the unimproved airstrip to the right, traveled through alder bushes and small spruce trees, and came to rest against a dirt embankment. The right wing came to rest against the terrain and the right main landing gear separated from the gear box, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot stated that prior to the accident flight, the brake system had been flushed and bled due to two brake failures earlier in the day. The owner stated that the pilot had reported a "soft brake" on the left side on the previous flight. When the airplane was inspected by maintenance personnel, the brake system was bled and water was observed within the purged fluid. The owner further stated that during the summer, the brake cylinders were left in place while the airplane was on floats and suspected this may have been how the water entered the brake system. Prior to the airplane being operated on wheels, the hydraulic fluid was flushed from the system to ensure any water was removed. During the removal of the landing gear components for recovery of the airplane, the brake system was compromised, and no fluid was retained for testing for possible contamination. The closest official weather observation station 22 miles away is PADQ. At 1153, a METAR was reporting, in part, wind 280° at 16 knots, gusting 32 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; clouds and ceiling clear; temperature 21° F; dew point 5° F; altimeter 29.76 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1544](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1544), registered now, S/N 1230, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DEHAVILLAND BEAVER DHC 2 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-beaver-dhc-2) (registry code 2800108) (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: 1230 - Year built: 1958 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Andrew Airways Inc - Registered owner: Andrew Airways Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: ADQ, KODIAK, AK - Destination: Kodiak, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 29, 2017; seat: left; flight hours: 18,641 total, 12,800 in this make and model, 141 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 16 knots, gusting 32 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 5 °F - Altimeter: 29.75 inHg - Observed at: PADQ, 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 20180124013959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180124013959A), Jan 24, 2018: Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2, Afognak Island, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft was being operated as a VFR part 135 flight by andrew airways. The aircraft departed kodiak, AK with a load of cargo and no passengers. During landing… ## Other investigations on N1544 (2) 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 GAA20CA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA007), Oct 7, 2019: De Havilland Beaver DHC 2 (N1544), Kodiak, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain lateral control while landing on glassy water, which resulted in the left float touching the water, a loss of yaw control, and impact with a riverbank. - [NTSB ANC13CA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13CA098), Sep 14, 2013: Dehavilland Beaver DHC 2 (N1544), Akhiok, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in a gusty tailwind. ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 23, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96798. 7.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479378&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Maintenance Records (item 2, .PDF, 232 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479379&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Owner Interview) (item 3, .PDF, 222 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40483210&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Owner%20Interview)-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 4, .PDF, 89 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479380&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Master.PDF - Photos (item 5, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479381&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.