# NTSB DCA79AA018: Dehavilland DHC-6, N68DE, Rockland, ME, May 30, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: May 30, 1979
- Place: Rockland, ME · ROCKLAND, ME
- Location: 44.1239° N, 69.1305° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Rockland, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1239&lon=-69.1305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 17 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 3, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 79650
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA79AA018
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA79AA018

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3951  79/5/30    ROCKLAND,ME         DEHAVILLAND DHC-6   CR-  2  0  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 35, 5050
        TIME - 2055                    N68DE               PX- 15  1  0  COMMUTER AIR CARRIER      TOTAL HOURS, 604 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0  AIR TAXI-PASSG S-D        INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - KNOX COUNTY RGNL
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BOSTON,MA                   ROCKLAND,ME
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IFR OPERATION
        FACTOR(S)
           PERSONNEL - OPERATIONAL SUPERVISORY PERSONNEL: INADEQUATE FLIGHT TRAINING-PROCEDURES
           PERSONNEL - OPERATIONAL SUPERVISORY PERSONNEL: DEFICIENCY,COMPANY MAINTAINED EQPMT,SERVICES,REGULATION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF FLIGHT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - PILOT FATIGUE
        REMARKS- DSCNDD BLO MDA.INORDINATE MGMT PRESSURES.1ST OFF MRGL INSTRUMENT PROFICIENCY.CHRONIC FATIGUE,PIC.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68DE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68DE-2009-04-23), registration cancelled 2009-04-23, S/N 229, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DEHAVILLAND DHC-6
- Registry model: [Dehavilland DHC-6 TWIN OTTER](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-dhc-6-twin-otter) (registry code 2802606) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-60a) (registry code 52043, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Knox County Rgnl

## 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 19790530042679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790530042679A), May 30, 1979: Dhav DHC6200, Rockland, ME, Destroyed, 15 fatal. Descended below mda in near zero visibility, hit trees. Incorrect flap setting, pilot fatique, cockpit procedure.

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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