# NTSB ANC86LA160: de Havilland DHC-3, N83U, American River, AK, September 20, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 19, 1986, 17:17 local (Sep 20, 1986, 01:17 UTC)
- Place: American River, AK
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4744
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86LA160
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4744/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA160

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER LANDING ON A 1200 FT GRAVEL BAR, THE PLT PACED OFF THE AVAILABLE AREA, ESTIMATED THE LOAD TO PICK UP, THEN LOADED THE ACFT. DUE TO THE X-WIND, HE USED LESS THAN TAKEOFF FLAPS. HE BEGAN TAKING OFF, BUT AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE ACFT 'SEEMED TO HIT A DOWNDRAFT.'  THE PLT SELECTED TAKEOFF FLAPS & BEGAN A SLIGHT TURN TO GET MORE ROOM TO CLEAR A 20 FT BANK OF DIRT. HOWEVER, THE ACFT WOULD NOT CLEAR THE BANK. AFTER IMPACT, IT CAME TO REST ON THE TUNDRA & THE OCCUPANTS EXITED THE PLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N83U-1998-01-09), registration cancelled 1998-01-09, S/N 371 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland DHC-3
- Registry model: [Dehavilland DHC-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-dhc-3) (registry code 2800202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 371
- Airframe hours: 8154
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Bering Air Service
- Registered owner: Bering Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 26, 1986, 37 hours before
- Destination: NOME, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,240 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 9,239 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 10 °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 19860919048009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860919048009A), Sep 19, 1986: Dhav DHC3, American River, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft failed to climb after takeoff and hit the ground. Pilot may have over rotated with flaps improperly set.

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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