# NTSB ANC87LA078: de Havilland DHC-2, N98EL, King Salmon, AK, June 11, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 11, 1987, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: King Salmon, AK
- Coordinates: 58.749633, -156.539962 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.7496&lon=-156.5400&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4856
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4856/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA078

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)
  - performance data - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - all available runway - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE STARTED HIS TAKEOFF RUN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LAKE. THE AIRCRAFT OVERRAN THE LAKE AND ENDED UP ON THE TUNDRA APPROXIMATELY 75 YARDS FROM THE LAKE SHORE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N98EL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N98EL), registered now, S/N 1416, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland DHC-2
- Registry model: [Dehavilland-Kenmore DHC-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-kenmore-dhc-2) (registry code 2805001) (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: 826
- Airframe hours: 14680
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alaska Enchanted Lake Lodge
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 1987, 26 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,312 total, 2,600 in this make and model, 6,200 as pilot in command, 112 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 39 °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 19870611020059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870611020059A), Jun 11, 1987: Dhav DHC2MK1, King Salmon, AK, Substantial damage. Attempted takeoff without using flaps. Overran the lake and stopped 75 yards out in open tundra.

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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