# NTSB ANC92LA128: De Havilland DHC-2, N8190Y, Crescent Lake, AK, August 12, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1992, 11:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Crescent Lake, AK
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5775
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5775/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA128

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGING HIS ALTITUDE ON FINAL APPROACH. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GLASSY WATER CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
- Miscellaneous/other, other

## Analysis

APPROXIMATELY 5 SECONDS AFTER LEVELING THE WINGS ON FINAL APPROACH FOR A GLASSY WATER LANDING ON A LARGE LAKE, THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A HARD PREMATURE LANDING.  THE FLOATS WERE SEPARATED, AND THE AIRPLANE SANK IMMEDIATELY.  THE PILOT SAID THAT BECAUSE OF THE FLAT LIGHTING AND GLASSY WATER CONDITIONS HE LOST HIS DEPTH PERCEPTION AND MISJUDGED HIS ALTITUDE. HE SAID WHEN THE AIRPLANE HIT THE WATER HE THOUGHT HE WAS STILL 70 TO 80 FEET ABOVE THE WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8190Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8190Y), registered now, S/N 824, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DE HAVILLAND DHC-2
- Registry model: [Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A)](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-dhc-2-mk-i-l20a) (registry code 2808002) (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: 824
- Airframe hours: 9835
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Alaska West Air Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Alaska West Air Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 27, 1992, 50 hours before
- Departed: ENA, KENAI, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,100 total, 300 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °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 19920812031179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920812031179A), Aug 12, 1992: Dhav DHC2MK1, Crescent Lake, AK, Substantial damage. Failed to timely flare for glass water landing. Impact separated floats. Aircraft sank. Light conditions flat.

## Other investigations on N8190Y (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 ANC05TA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05TA058), Apr 15, 2005: de Havilland DHC-2 (N8190Y), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for taxi after landing, which resulted in the collapse of the main landing gear and structural damage to the right wing and forward fuselage. A factor…

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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