# NTSB ANC96LA168: de Havilland DHC-2, N94DG, Kodiak, AK, September 29, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 28, 1996, 16:15 local (Sep 29, 1996, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Kodiak, AK
- Coordinates: 57.789306, -152.399658 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.7893&lon=-152.3997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2914
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2914/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA168

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions.  The gusty wind was a related factor.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, taxi - from landing
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, taxi - from landing

## Analysis

The pilot, the sole occupant, was positioning the float equipped airplane to pick up several passengers from a remote lagoon. After landing, he was step taxiing with the flaps extended. The airplane encountered a strong quartering gust of wind on the left front, which lifted the left wing. The right wing then struck the water, damaging the leading edge of the wingtip, the upper surface of the wing, and the auxiliary fuel tank.

## Factual narrative

On September 28, 1996, about 1615 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped deHavilland DHC-2, N94DG, crashed while taxiing after landing in Karluk Lagoon, about 67 miles west of Kodiak, Alaska.  The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country positioning flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred.  The airplane, operated by Wilderness Air Inc., Kodiak, sustained substantial damage.  The certificated airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  VFR company flight following procedures were in effect.

The operator reported that the pilot was positioning the airplane to pickup several passengers.  After landing, the pilot was step taxiing with the flaps extended.  The pilot indicated that a strong quartering gust of wind struck the airplane from the left front and lifted the left wing.  The right wing then struck the water, damaging the leading edge of the wingtip, the upper surface of the wing, and the auxiliary fuel tank.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N94DG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland DHC-2
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 907
- Airframe hours: 10225
- Engines: P&W R-985-14 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Wilderness Air Inc.
- Registered owner: Aircraft Marketing And Leasing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 21, 1996, 7 hours before
- Departed: 9Z4, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 19,200 total, 650 in this make and model, 18,200 as pilot in command, 344 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 325° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °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 19960928034469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960928034469A), Sep 28, 1996: Dhav DHC2MK1, Kodiak, AK, Substantial damage. Float equipped beaver. Strong wind gust hit while step taxiing. Lifted a wind. Down wing hit water. Cartwheeled.

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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