# NTSB ANC85FA184: de Havilland DHC-2, N5317G, Merrill Pass, AK, September 26, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1985, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Merrill Pass, AK
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4429
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85FA184
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4429/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85FA184

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper use of procedure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN IN A MOUNTAIN PASS AT AN ELEVATION OF 3600 FT MSL. THE PLT OBTAINED A WX BRIEFING AT 1329 GMT ON 9/26/86 AT WHICH TIME MERRILL PASS WAS FORECAST TO BE CLOSED BY 1100 ADT DUE TO DETERIORATING WX. THE LAST RADIO COMMUNICATION WITH THE ACFT WAS AT 1803 GMT WHEN CONTACT WAS MADE WITH MCGRATH FSS. AT THIS TIME THE PLT MADE A PLT REPORT STATING THE WX AT MERRILL PASS WAS MARGINAL; 2 MILES VIS WITH SNOW AND OCCASIONAL MODERATE TURBULENCE. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED ON 6/29/85 AND INDICATED THE ACFT CONTACTED THE TERRAIN IN A RELATIVELY LEVEL ATTITUDE WITH CONSIDERABLE AIRSPEED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5317G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5317G-1992-03-31), registration cancelled 1992-03-31, S/N 617 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland DHC-2
- 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: 617
- Airframe hours: 7640
- Engines: P&W R-985-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Willow Air Service, doing business as Willow Air Service
- Registered owner: Willow Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 6, 1985, 95 hours before
- Departed: HIDDEN RIVER, AK
- Destination: Z22, WILLOW, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,900 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 4,650 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 37 °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 19850926048169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850926048169A), Sep 26, 1985: Dhav DHC2MK1, Merrill Pass, AK, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Wing struck side of Pass near summit. Forecast for turbulence and closed Pass. Burned after impact.

## Other investigations on N5317G (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 DEN76FTM05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN76FTM05-150504), Aug 15, 1975: Dehavilland DHC-2 (N5317G), Ogden, UT, substantial damage

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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