# NTSB ANC92LA010: De Havilland DHC-6, N724CA, Chevak, AK, October 26, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 26, 1991, 09:55 local (17:55 UTC)
- Place: Chevak, AK
- Coordinates: 61.53009, -165.600677 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5301&lon=-165.6007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5667
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5667/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA010

## Probable cause

THE HIGH CROSSWIND CONDITION, THE PILOT IN COMMANDS INABILITY TO COMPENSATE FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO FOLLOW COMPANY PROCEDURES AND THE PROCEDURES RECOMMENDED IN THE AIRCRAFT FLIGHT MANUAL. FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE CAPTAIN'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN HIS PERSONAL ABILITY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - crosswind (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE CAPTAIN ELECTED TO TAKEOFF ON RUNWAY 14 AT CHEVAK.  ACCORDING TO THE FIRST OFFICER, THE STATION MANAGER, AND THE DIRECTOR OF FLIGHT OPERATIONS THE WIND WAS BLOWING 090 TO 100 DEGREES AT 35 TO 40 KNOTS.  THE CAPTAIN STATED THE WIND WAS FROM 060 TO 090 DEGREES AT 22 TO 25 KNOTS GUSTING TO 35 KNOTS.  THE CAPTAIN ELECTED TO USE 20 DEGREES OF FLAP FOR TAKEOFF, HOWEVER, THE FLIGHT MANUAL RECOMMENDS THAT ONLY 10 DEGREES OF FLAP BE USED FOR A CROSSWIND TAKEOFF.  THE FLIGHT MANUAL STATES THAT THE DEMONSTRATED CROSSWIND COMPONENT FOR THIS AIRPLANE WAS 20 KNOTS BUT IS NOT A LIMITING FACTOR.  THE CAPTAIN PERFORMED THE TAKEOFF AND UPON LIFT OFF THE AIRPLANE WEATHER VANED AND BEGAN TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT.  SIMULTANEOUSLY THE LEFT WING ROSE INTO THE AIR AND THE RIGHT WING DRAGGED THE GROUND.  ACCORDING TO THE DIRECTOR OF FLIGHT OPERATIONS OTHER COMPANY FLIGHTS IN THE AREA CANCELED THEIR FLIGHTS EARLIER DUE TO HIGH WINDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N724CA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N724CA-1995-11-22), registration cancelled 1995-11-22, S/N 793 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DE HAVILLAND DHC-6
- Registry model: [Dehavilland DHC-6-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-dhc-6-300) (registry code 2802630) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 793
- Airframe hours: 11274
- Engines: P&W PT6A-27 680 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Markair Express Inc.
- Registered owner: Markair Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, September 26, 1991, 106 hours before
- Destination: HPB, HOOPER BAY, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: VAK, Chevak, runway 14, 2,690 × 40 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,850 total, 1,353 in this make and model, 2,300 as pilot in command, 274 in the last 90 days, 79 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 30 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 37 °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 19911026048059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911026048059A), Oct 26, 1991: Dhav DHC6300, Chevak, AK, Substantial damage. Weather vaned into severe crosswind on liftoff. Slewed right. Wing hit. Cartwheeled. Right prop feathered. Flaps 20

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.