# NTSB ANC94LA113: de Havilland DHC-2, N1785R, Skwenta, AK, August 19, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1994, 18:30 local (Aug 19, 1994, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Skwenta, AK
- Coordinates: 61.930736, -151.730072 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.9307&lon=-151.7301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2545
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC94LA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2545/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA113

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM AN OBJECT (TREE).

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff
  - object - tree(s)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE CERTIFICATED COMMERCIAL PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER WERE PREPARING TO DEPART A RIVER AREA ON A NON-SCHEDULED CFR PART 135 FISHING/GUIDE CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT.  THE PILOT APPLIED ENGINE POWER TO MOVE THE FLOAT EQUIPPED AIRPLANE FROM A SAND BAR ONTO THE RIVER.  AS THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO MOVE, THE RIGHT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER STRUCK A TREE STUMP, DAMAGING THE STABILIZER SPAR AND FUSELAGE.

## Factual narrative

On August 18, 1994, at 1830 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped DeHavilland DHC-2 (Beaver) airplane, N1785R, owned by the Chelatna Lake Lodge, and operated by Willow Air Service dba. Northern Alps Inc., collided with a tree stump while taxiing for takeoff on the Yetna River at the mouth of Lake Creek.  The commercial certificated pilot-in-command and his one passenger, the sole occupants, were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage.  The non-scheduled 14 CFR Part 135 fishing/guide flight last departed Willow, Alaska at 1700 and the intended destination was the area in which the mishap occurred.  The pilot reported that visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area in which the accident occurred and a company flight plan was in effect.

The pilot reported that while powering up to taxi off of a sandbar the right horizontal stabilizer collided with a tree stump.  According to the pilot/operator report submitted by the pilot, his total aeronautical experience consists of about 1,700 hours, of which 200 were accrued in the accident aircraft make and model.  In the preceding 90 and 30 days prior to the accident, the report lists a total of 200 and 65 hours respectively flown.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1785R (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland DHC-2
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 83
- Engines: P&W R985-14B 440 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Willow Air Service, doing business as Northern Alps Inc.
- Registered owner: Chelatna Lake Lodge
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 7, 1994
- Departed: W10, WILLOW, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; 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: 1,700 total, 200 in this make and model, 1,700 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 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 19940818022269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940818022269A), Aug 18, 1994: Dhav DHC2*, Skwenta, AK, Substantial damage. Float equipped beaver struck tree stump on taxi for takeoff. Tree was on edge of sandbar used for landing 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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