# NTSB ANC92LA077: De Havilland DHC-2-T, N4478, Alexander Creek, AK, May 24, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1992, 16:20 local (May 24, 1992, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Alexander Creek, AK
- Coordinates: 55.919486, -159.490966 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.9195&lon=-159.4910&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5728
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5728/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA077

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT DEACTIVATION OF THE ENGINE'S FUEL SUPPLY BY SWITCHING OFF THE FUEL SHUT OFF.  FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SOFT MUD IN THE FORCED LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,fuel shutoff - switched off
  - fuel supply - inadvertent deactivation, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE WANTED TO TURN ON THE CABIN HEAT SO HE REACHED DOWN AND PULLED A HANDLE WITHOUT LOOKING AT WHICH HANDLE HE WAS PULLING. HE INADVERTENTLY SHUT OFF THE FUEL SHUT OFF.  THE CABIN HEAT HANDLE AND THE EMERGENCY FUEL SHUT OFF ARE LOCATED ON THE CENTER PEDESTAL, BEHIND THE VERTICAL COLUMN OF THE CONTROL YOKE, ABOUT 8 INCHES APART.  EACH HAS A DIFFERENT SHAPED HANDLE AND EACH IS PLACARDED WITH A DIFFERENT COLORED PLACARD.  THE FUEL SHUT OFF WAS SAFETY WIRED TO THE ON POSITION.  THE AIRPLANE WAS EQUIPPED WITH AMPHIBIOUS FLOATS.  THE TIDE IN COOK INLET WAS RECEDING AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND ON THE MUD FLATS.  THE FLOAT BRACES COLLAPSED UPON LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4478](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4478-2005-09-13), registration cancelled 2005-09-13, S/N 1653-TB30, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DE HAVILLAND DHC-2-T
- Registry model: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2 MK.3](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-beaver-dhc-2-mk-3) (registry code 2800107) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-60a) (registry code 52043, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1653-TB30
- Airframe hours: 5470
- Engines: P&W PT6A-6A 550 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bryan Bergt
- Registered owner: Markair Express
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1992, 1 hours before
- Departed: ANC, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Destination: DLG, DILLINGHAM, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,641 total, 260 in this make and model, 769 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 81 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19920523019479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920523019479A), May 23, 1992: Dhav DHC2MK3, Alexander Creek, AK, Substantial damage. Amphibious beaver had spool down en route when pilot turned fuel off instead of heat on. Landed on mud flats.

## Other investigations on N4478 (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 ANC02FA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02FA106), Aug 29, 2002: de Havilland DHC-2 MK3 (N4478), Aleknagik, AK, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to use a checklist to ensure the airplane was in the proper landing configuration, which precipitated an inadvertent water landing on amphibious floats with the wheels extended. A…
- [NTSB ANC70A0040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC70A0040), Nov 10, 1969: Dehavilland DHC-2 (N4478), Barrow, 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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