# NTSB ANC83LA048: Douglas DC-6A, N6587C, Nuiqsut, AK, February 25, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 25, 1983, 12:08 local (16:08 UTC)
- Place: Nuiqsut, AK
- Coordinates: 71.280273, -156.780303 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=71.2803&lon=-156.7803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4100
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83LA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4100/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA048

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - to takeoff
  - airport facilities,taxiway condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,taxiway condition - icy (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - unsafe/hazardous condition - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - to takeoff
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE CAPTAIN REPORTED THAT THE ACFT MOVED FASTER AT IDLE PWR BECAUSE THE CARGO HAD BEEN OFFLOADED. WHEN HE CHECKED THE BRAKES HALFWAY DOWN THE TAXIWAY HE FOUND THAT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT SLOW THE ACFT ON GLARE ICE AND SNOW. THE FLT ENGINEER BEGAN REVERSING THE PROPELLERS. APPROACHING THE RUNWAY THE ACFT BEGAN TO TURN UNTIL THE NOSE WHEEL BEGAN SKIDDING. THE ACFT WAS STRAIGHTENED OUT BEFORE IT SLID THRU A SNOWBANK INTO A SNOW FILLED DITCH ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6587C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6587C-1986-01-13), registration cancelled 1986-01-13, S/N 43579 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS DC-6A
- Registry model: [Douglas DC-6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc-6a) (registry code 3021706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 43579
- Airframe hours: 22260
- Engines: P&W R-2800-52W reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aerolaska, Ltd.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Destination: FAI, FAIRBANKS, AK
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 10AK, Nuiqsut

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 10,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 30 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -29 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19830225013189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830225013189A), Feb 25, 1983: Doug C118A, Nuiqsut, AK, Substantial damage. Unable to stop on icy taxiway in high wind. Slid across runway into a ditch. Misjudged power application on ice.

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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