# NTSB ANC87LA083: de Havilland DHC-2, N5349G, Alexander River, AK, June 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 19, 1987, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Alexander River, AK
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4860
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4860/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA083

## 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
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF RUN THE LEFT FLOAT CONTACTED A HIDDEN SAND BAR. THE AIRCRAFT THEN NOSED OVER ON ITS BACK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5349G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5349G), registered now, S/N 812, built 1956 (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)
- 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: 812
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN39 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Lindey H. Ketchum
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, May 1, 1987, 50 hours before
- Destination: ANC, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 15,000 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 15,000 as pilot in command, 175 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19870619021149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870619021149A), Jun 19, 1987: Dhav DHC2MK1, Alexander River, AK, Substantial damage. The float equipped aircraft nosed over during a River takeoff after striking a submerged sandbar.

## Other investigations on N5349G (2)

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 ANC91LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA032), Mar 3, 1991: De Havilland DHC-2 (N5349G), Finger Lake, AK, no damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LANDING ROLL. A FACTOR WAS THE ROUGH AND UNEVEN TERRAIN.
- [NTSB ANC84LA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA183), Sep 15, 1984: de Havilland DHC-2 (N5349G), Anchorage, AK, 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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