# NTSB ANC23LA057: Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A), N6782L, Point Baker, AK, July 26, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: July 25, 2023, 16:30 local (Jul 26, 2023, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Point Baker, AK
- Coordinates: 56.35186, -133.62258 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.3519&lon=-133.6226&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: 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/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 192719
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC23LA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192719/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192719
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA057

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff with a quartering tailwind.

## 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 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)
- [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 DHC-2 MK. I(L20A), 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2808002), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A), 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2808002), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2808002), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: 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)
- [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A), 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2808002), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A), 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2808002), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during takeoff in a float-equipped airplane, with left quartering tailwind, a gust of wind resulted in a loss of directional control. He aborted the takeoff but was unable to regain control and the left wing impacted a pole which rotated the airplane to the left and the right wing struck a boat. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6782L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6782L), registered now, S/N 820, built 1955 (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: 820
- Year built: 1955
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney R985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Seawind Aviation Inc
- Registered owner: Seawind Aviation Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Point Baker, AK
- Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic multifunction display

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 9, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4,200 total, 1,100 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,600 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observed at: APG, 35 nm away
- METAR: PAPG 252356Z 09004KT 10SM BKN046 18/13 A3002 RMK AO2 SLPNO 6//// T01830128 52007

## 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 20230725009879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230725009879A), Jul 25, 2023: Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A), Point Baker, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted to conduct a downwind takeoff with an approximate 10 knot tailwind out of Point Baker, AK. The way the cove is situated makes for a one way in…

## Other investigations on N6782L (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 SEA94LA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA159), May 26, 1994: de Havilland DHC-2 (N6782L), Friday Harbor, WA, no damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S ACCIDENTAL EXTENSION OF HIS HAND INTO THE ARC OF THE TURNING PROPELLER. FACTORS INCLUDE HIGH WINDS DURING THE DOCKING PROCESS.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 1, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192719. 8.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 7.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16200499&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120%20form_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 725 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16186350&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC23LA057%20Photos-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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