# NTSB ANC91LA153: De Havilland DHC-2 MKI, N17394, Holitna River, AK, September 25, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 25, 1991, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Holitna River, AK
- Coordinates: 61.939929, -157.619842 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.9399&lon=-157.6198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5626
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA153
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5626/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA153

## Probable cause

THE AIRPLANE'S FLOAT HIT A SUBMERGED LOG DURING LANDING ON THE RIVER, WHICH RESULTED IN THE PILOT LOSING CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND CRASHING INTO THE WATER.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - submerged object (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT JUST AFTER TOUCHDOWN ON THE RIVER, THE AIRPLANE'S RIGHT FLOAT HIT A SUBMERGED LOG.  THE AIRPLANE THEN CARTWHEELED AND CAME TO REST UPSIDE DOWN IN THE WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17394](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N17394-2013-07-30), registration cancelled 2013-07-30, S/N 495, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DE HAVILLAND DHC-2 MKI
- Registry model: [Dehavilland BEAVER L-20A](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-beaver-l-20a) (registry code 2800104) (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: 495
- Airframe hours: 6750
- Engines: P&W R985-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Ralph C. Meloon, doing business as Holitna Wilderness Lodge
- Registered owner: Ralph C. Meloon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 9, 1991, 100 hours before
- Departed: RDV, RED DEVIL, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial, flight instructor; 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: 4,000 total, 400 in this make and model, 3,800 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 15 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken

## 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 19910925042919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910925042919A), Sep 25, 1991: Dhav DHC2MK1, Holitna River, AK, Substantial damage. Landing on River float,plane pontoon struck a submerged log. Cartwheeled and came to rest inverted.

## Other investigations on N17394 (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 ANC94FA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94FA105), Aug 12, 1994: De Havilland DHC-2 (N17394), Port Alsworth, AK, destroyed, 3 fatal. Probable cause: IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND HIS FAILURE TO REMAIN CLEAR OF MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE BOX/BLIND CANYON AND PROXIMITY OF MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WERE RELATED FACTORS.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.