# NTSB ANC85LA044: de Havilland DHC-2, N62LC, Mcgrath, AK, January 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 14, 1985, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Mcgrath, AK
- Coordinates: 63.610912, -154.780395 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.6109&lon=-154.7804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4464
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4464/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA044

## 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 facilities,runway/landing area condition - hidden obstruction(s)
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - flight control,elevator - buckled
  - flight control,rudder - buckled
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

ACFT IS EQUIPPED WITH MAIN GEAR SKIS AND A TAILWHEEL. PLT STATED ELEVATOR & RUDDER CONTROLS STUCK DURING THE LANDING ROLL ON SNOW COVERED TERRAIN. INSPECTION REVELADED THE TAIL SECTION OF THE ACFT COLLAPSED AFTER CONTACTING THE HEAD OF A SMALL TREE. THE LANDING WAS MADE ON A MINING STRIP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62LC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N62LC), registered now, S/N 1086, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland DHC-2
- Registry model: [Dehavilland DHC-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-dhc-2) (registry code 2808001) (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: 1086
- Airframe hours: 6181
- Engines: P&W 985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Daniel L Smith, doing business as Hub Air Service Inc
- Registered owner: Hub Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 7, 1984, 78 hours before
- Departed: MCG, MCGRATH, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,765 total, 1,283 in this make and model, 4,623 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 220° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19850114002249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850114002249A), Jan 14, 1985: Dhav DHC2*, Mcgrath, AK, Substantial damage. Landed in snow covered meadow. Tailwheel struck a small tree head, damaged tail section.

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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