# NTSB ANC85FA154: de Havilland DHC-2 MK.1, N68085, Tutna Lake, AK, August 18, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1985, 14:03 local (22:03 UTC)
- Place: Tutna Lake, AK
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4426
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85FA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4426/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85FA154

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED ON THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN AT AN ELEV OF 2200 FT APRX 3 MILES FROM ITS INTENDED DESTINATION, A REMOTE LAKE. PURPOSE OF THE FLT WAS TO DISCHARGE CARIBOU HUNTERS INTO AN AREA WHERE CARIBOU WERE SPOTTED EARLY THAT DAY. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE. INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE FAILED TO REVEAL A MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68085](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68085-1986-01-13), registration cancelled 1986-01-13, S/N 1332 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland DHC-2 MK.1
- Registry model: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-beaver-dhc-2-mk-1) (registry code 2800102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1332
- Airframe hours: 9018
- Engines: P&W R-985-39-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Alaska Air Guides, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 14, 1985, 23 hours before
- Departed: LHD, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,190 total, 406 in this make and model, 290 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ILZ, 60 nm away

## 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 19850818041689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850818041689A), Aug 18, 1985: Dhav DHC2MK1, Tutna Lake, AK, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Wingtip then float struck rising mountainous terrain. Impacted slope and burned. Cause unknown.

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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