# NTSB ANC21LA081: Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A), N4334Y, Kodiak, AK, August 21, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 21, 2021, 09:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Kodiak, AK · Lake Miam - Coordinates: 57.496253, -152.58134 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.4963&lon=-152.5813&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: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 103784 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC21LA081 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103784/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103784 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA081 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): 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/01062041/cases.md?model=2808002), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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(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: glassy surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023025/cases.md?model=2808002), [All aircraft, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023025/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 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) - [Landing: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); 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) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A), 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2808002), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was practicing glassy water landings in his float-equipped airplane. On his 5th landing of the day, the floatplane landed hard, bounced twice, and came to rest inverted in the water sustaining substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the floatplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4334Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4334Y), registered now, S/N 1401, built 1959 (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: 1401 - Year built: 1959 - Airframe hours: 14200 - Engines: P&W R-985 SERIES 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Float Plane Investments LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 2020 - Departed: 9Z3, Kodiak, AK - Equipment: Handheld GPS, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 4, 2021; seat: left; flight hours: 199.9 total, 105.5 in this make and model, 97.6 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: PADQ, 18 nm away - METAR: PADQ 211653Z 00000KT 10SM CLR 12/07 A3017 RMK AO2 SLP217 T01220067 ## 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 20210821014679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210821014679A), Aug 21, 2021: Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A), Kodiak, AK, Substantial damage. During interview, with the pilot[privacy data omitted], he stated that he had been practicing glassy water landings. While trying to land, he was running out… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 18, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103784. 3.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12703874&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot roc (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 78 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12705119&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20ROC-Rel.pdf - Accident pictures (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 363 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12704899&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Pictures-Rel.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.