# NTSB ANC99LA064: de Havilland DHC-6-300, N72GC, Anchorage, AK, May 25, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 25, 1999, 00:05 local (08:05 UTC) - Place: Anchorage, AK - Coordinates: 61.159973, -149.990493 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1600&lon=-149.9905&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 46396 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA064 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46396/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA064 ## Probable cause An in-flight collision with a bird. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - downwind - object - bird(s) (cause) - evasive maneuver - not possible, pilot in command - wing,wing rib - fractured ## Analysis A twin engine turboprop airplane had been cleared for landing, and was on the downwind portion of a scheduled Title 14 CFR Part 121 flight during night visual meteorological conditions. The airplane was about 1,800 feet msl, about 2 miles southwest of the destination airport that is located in a coastal area. The flight crew briefly observed several birds, and then felt an impact. Upon landing, damage to the leading edge of the left wing was discovered. Small portions of a bird were found on the leading edge. The crew could not identify the size and type of bird. Examination of the damage to the wing revealed denting of the leading edge, and wrinkling of the upper wing surface about 4 feet inboard from the left wing tip. An internal examination of wing disclosed two broken nose ribs. Forensic examination of biological material taken from the airplane's wing was conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The material was identified as a Common Eider. ## Factual narrative On May 25, 1999, about 0005 Alaska daylight time, a deHavilland DHC-6-300 airplane, N72GC, sustained substantial damage when it struck a bird during the downwind portion of the landing phase, about 2 miles southwest of the Anchorage International Airport, Anchorage, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as an instrument flight rules (IFR) scheduled flight under Title 14 CFR Part 121 when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by ERA Aviation Inc., Anchorage, as Flight 4857. The two flight crew members and the two passengers were not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed. An IFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Kenai Municipal Airport, Kenai, Alaska, about 2348. The Director of Operations for the operator reported the flight was cleared for a right downwind approach for runway 14 at Anchorage. The airplane was about mid-channel between Fire Island, and the approach end of runway 6R. About 1,800 feet msl, the flight crew briefly observed several birds. The crew then felt an impact. Upon landing, damage to the leading edge of the left wing was discovered. Small portions of a bird were found on the leading edge. During an interview with the flight crew on May 27, 1999, the crew said the size and type of bird could not be identified. Personnel from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services Program, responded to the Anchorage International Airport and gathered forensic, biological material from the accident airplane's wing surface. The material was submitted to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History for identification. The examination identified the bird as a Common Eider. Examination of the damage to the wing revealed denting of the leading edge, about four feet inboard from the left wing tip, and wrinkling of the upper wing surface. An internal examination of the wing disclosed two broken nose ribs. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N72GC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N72GC-2024-03-05), registration cancelled 2024-03-05, S/N 264, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: de Havilland DHC-6-300 - Registry model: [Dehavilland DHC-6-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-dhc-6-300) (registry code 2802630) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A-27 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-27-series) (registry code 52141, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 264 - Airframe hours: 33471 - Engines: P&W PT6A-27 620 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 121 - Operator: Era Aviation Inc. - Registered owner: Twin Otter Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, April 18, 1999, 66 hours before - Departed: PAEN, KENAI, AK - Destination: PANC - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: PANC, Anchorage International ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,150 total, 600 in this make and model, 2,050 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 170° at 12 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PAN, 2 nm away ## 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 19990525021539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990525021539A), May 25, 1999: Dhav DHC6300, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. On may 25, 1999, about 0005 Alaska daylight time, a Dehavilland DHC-6-300 airplane, N72GC, sustained substantial damage during the downwind portion of the… ## Other investigations on N72GC (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 WPR20CA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA112), Mar 6, 2020: De Havilland DHC6 (N72GC), Boulder City, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The trainee pilot's loss of directional control during landing and his subsequent unintentional control interference with the brakes and/or rudder during the trainer pilot's attempted remedial… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.