# NTSB ANC92LA176: De Havilland DHC-2, N513F, Chitina, AK, September 19, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 19, 1992, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Chitina, AK
- Coordinates: 61.450149, -143.150543 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4501&lon=-143.1505&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 May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5815
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5815/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA176

## Probable cause

PILOT IN COMMAND PREFLIGHT DECISION/PLANNING IN ATTEMPTING TAKEOFF WITHOUT PRUDENT AND SUFFICIENT PREPARATION TO ASSESS WIND DIRECTION.  A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE TREES IN THE CLEARWAY AT THE AIRSTRIP END.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PILOT/OWNER OF LODGE OPERATING DE HAVILLAND DHC2 LANDED AT 1,200 FOOT RIVER BAR STRIP AND LOADED 4 PASSENGERS AND LIGHT CARGO IN 'NO MORE THAN 10 MINUTES.'  TAKEOFF ABORTED JUST PRIOR TO PLANNED TAKEOFF WHEN PILOT REPORTED LACK OF ACCELERATION WITH NORMAL ENGINE POWER.  OVERRUN INTO TREES BEYOND AIRSTRIP, COLLISION WITH TREES SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGING AIRCRAFT.  PILOT NOTED 10 TO 15 KNOT TAILWIND FOLLOWING ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N513F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: DE HAVILLAND DHC-2
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1265
- Airframe hours: 10063
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Paul Claus, doing business as Claus Outdoor Adventures
- Registered owner: Paul Claus
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 2, 1992, 200 hours before
- Destination: CXC, CHITINA, AK
- Airport: Brysons Bar Airstrip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 8,485 total, 1,358 in this make and model, 8,470 as pilot in command, 158 in the last 90 days, 82 in the last 30 days, 7.1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 36 °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 19920919037669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920919037669A), Sep 19, 1992: Dhav DHC2*, Chitna, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted to abort after wind shift on takeoff. Crashed into trees off end of strip.

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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