# NTSB ANC82DA015: de Havilland DHC-2-MK3, N1459T, Near Nuiqsut, AK, January 15, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: January 15, 1982, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Near Nuiqsut, AK
- Coordinates: 71.280578, -156.779296 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=71.2806&lon=-156.7793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 15, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71905
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC82DA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71905/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DA015

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - airport snow removal - inadequate, airport personnel (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

EARLIER IN THE DAY, THE PILOT RECEIVED INFORMATION ABOUT THE LANDING AREA. HE UNDERSTOOD THAT THE LANDING AREA WOULD BE CLEARED OR PREPARED AND BE DEFINED BY FLARE POTS. HE BELIEVED HE WOULD BE LANDING ON A FROZEN RIVER. DURING ARRIVAL AFTER DARK, HE FLEW OVERHEAD TO LOOK AT THE LANDING AREA. FROM THE AIR, THE PILOT PERCEIVED THAT THE LANDING AREA WAS ADEQUATE AND HAD BEEN PREPARED BY GROUND PERSONNEL. ON SHORT FINAL, HE SAW A BERM ACROSS THE APPROACH END WHICH TENDED TO CONFIRM THAT THE STRIP HAD BEEN LEVELED OR PREPARED. THE PLANE WAS LANDED ON SKIS WITH THE WHEELS RETRACTED. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE PILOT SELECTED REVERSE THRUST TO SLOW THE PLANE. WHILE SLOWING THROUGH ABOUT 30 KNOTS. THE PLANE HIT A THREE FOOT FROZEN SNOWBANK AND WAS DAMAGED. THIS WAS THE PILOT'S FIRST LANDING AT THIS LOCATION. THE LANDING AREA WAS UNIMPROVED. ROLLING, SNOW COVERED TUNDRA WITH TEN INCH SNOWDRIFTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1459T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland DHC-2-MK3
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1665TB37
- Airframe hours: 7772
- Engines: P&W PT6A-20 550 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Sea Airmotive, Inc.
- Registered owner: Sea Airmotive, Inc.
- Departed: UMT, UMIAT, AK
- Destination: (REMOTE FIELD), AK
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 5,974 total, 300 in this make and model, 5,815 as pilot in command, 293 in the last 90 days, 81 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 77 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

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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