# NTSB ANC86LA025: de Havilland DHC-6, N204EH, Mekoryuk, AK, February 7, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 7, 1986, 10:50 local (14:50 UTC)
- Place: Mekoryuk, AK
- Coordinates: 60.370246, -166.269515 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.3702&lon=-166.2695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 9 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4636
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86LA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4636/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA025

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PIC STATED THAT HE WAS LANDING TO THE SOUTHWEST BECAUSE THE FOG WAS OBSCURING THE APCH PATH TO RWY 05. AFTER ALIGNING WITH RWY 23, THE ACFT DRIFTED OFF COURSE. THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO REALIGN THE ACFT WITH THE RWY WHEN HE TOUCHED DOWN IN A BANK AND STRUCK THE RIGHT WING TIP. HE FURTHER STATED HE NEVER REGAINED CONTROL AND THE ACFT DEPARTED THE RWY OFF THE LEFT SIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N204EH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N204EH), registered now, S/N 61, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland DHC-6
- Registry model: [Dehavilland DHC-6 TWIN OTTER](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-dhc-6-twin-otter) (registry code 2802606) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-60a) (registry code 52043, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 61
- Airframe hours: 19417
- Engines: P&W PT6A-20A 5795 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Era Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 13, 1986, 91 hours before
- Departed: BET, BETHEL, AK
- Destination: MYU, MEKORYUK, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: MYU, Mekoryuk, runway 23, 3,500 × 50 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,643 total, 3,888 in this make and model, 9,304 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 32 °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 19860207037919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860207037919A), Feb 7, 1986: Dhav DHC6TWNOTTER, Mekoryuk, AK, Substantial damage. Improperly aligned with runway on downwind landing. Veered off runway into a snowbank.

## Other investigations on N204EH (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 ERA09LA344](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA344), Jun 13, 2009: Dehavilland DHC-6 Twin (N204EH), Orange, VA, no damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper decision to perform a low-level maneuver over a populated skydive landing area and his inadequate visual lookout.

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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