# NTSB ANC22LA063: De Havilland DHC2, N9776R, Anchorage, AK, July 26, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: July 26, 2022, 09:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.179673, -149.96348
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1797&lon=-149.9635&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 4 minor, 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: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 105639
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC22LA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105639/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105639
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22LA063

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting wind conditions which resulted in the wing exceeding its critical angle of attack, a loss of control and impact with the water.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2800102), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2800102), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=2800102), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2800102), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2800102), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, he was departing in the float-equipped airplane in strong gusty wind conditions. After accelerating on the water for about 3 seconds, the airplane suddenly became airborne and crabbed into the wind about 60° to 90° from the intended takeoff path and started to climb as it continued to track away from the intended flight path. As the climb continued, the airplane stalled and impacted the water in a nose low attitude which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9776R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9776R), registered now, S/N 1126, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DE HAVILLAND DHC2
- 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: 1126
- Year built: 1957
- Airframe hours: 16072.7
- Engines: Pratt and Whitney R985 AN 14-B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 135
- Operator: Alaska Skyways Inc, doing business as Regal Air
- Registered owner: Northstar Holdings LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 25, 2022
- Destination: King Salmon, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: LHD, Lake Hood, runway 14, 5,400 × 150 ft, water
- Equipment: ADS-B, Handheld GPS, Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 18, 2022; seat: left; flight hours: 1,709 total, 142 in this make and model, 1,623 as pilot in command, 251 in the last 90 days, 94 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 10 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observed at: PALH
- METAR: PALH 261753Z 20010G16KT 150V230 10SM CLR 13/04 A3020 RMK AO2 SLP226 T01280044 10128 20106 51020

## 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 20220726007539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220726007539A), Jul 26, 2022: Dehavilland DHC-2 MK.1, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. The PIC took off from the southeast water lane at Lake Hood Seaplane Base with six passengers on board. After lift off the aircraft drifted to the left, and…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 11, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105639. 5.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 4.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14267242&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Signed%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14582750&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.

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