# NTSB ANC89LA103: De Havilland DHC-2, N5595M, Iliamna, AK, June 24, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1989, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Iliamna, AK
- Coordinates: 59.849353, -154.559158 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.8494&lon=-154.5592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5206
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5206/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA103

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE ANNUAL INSPECTION BY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - ignition system,magneto - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, approach

## Analysis

ON FINAL APPROACH THE ENGINE QUIT, AND THE AIRPLANE CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA. THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AND THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED A MALFUNCTION OF THE MAGNETO. A THICK CRUST COATED BOTH POLES OF THE MAGNETO, WHICH CAUSED IT TO BIND INTERNALLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5595M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5595M), registered now, S/N 1571, built 1964 (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: 1571
- Airframe hours: 5297
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Gay, Kirk, doing business as Val Halla Lodge
- Registered owner: Alaska Safari Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 26, 1989, 2 hours before
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 10,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 9,020 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 46 °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 19890624017439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890624017439A), Jun 24, 1989: Dhav DHC2MK1, Iliamna, AK, Substantial damage. Engine failed on approach to water landing. Crashed into trees. Both mags rusty, weak spark, one inoperative.

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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