# NTSB ERA22LA116: Dehavilland DHC-2, N1454Z, Gilbert, SC, February 5, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 5, 2022, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Gilbert, SC - Coordinates: 33.83716, -81.39509 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8372&lon=-81.3951&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 104598 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA116 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104598/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104598 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA116 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper flap setting, which resulted in a collision with trees during a takeoff attempt from a short grass field. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=2808001), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Wing structure: trailing edge flaps](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035753): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035753/cases.md?model=2808001), [All aircraft, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035753/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2808001), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel airplane reported that he was attempting to depart a 1,000-ft-long pasture. He forgot to position the flaps to takeoff setting and by the time he realized the error, it was too late to reject the takeoff. The pilot attempted to clear trees at the end of the pasture with the flaps retracted, but the airplane collided with the trees and came to rest upright. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the left wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1454Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1454Z), registered now, S/N 972, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DEHAVILLAND DHC-2 - Registry model: [Dehavilland DHC-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-dhc-2) (registry code 2808001) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 972 - Year built: 1955 - Airframe hours: 9845 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R985 400 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Out There Outfitters - Registered owner: Out There Outfitters - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 2, 2021, 78 hours before - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; airline transport, flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 7, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 8,069 total, 221 in this make and model, 6,117 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.34 inHg - Observed at: KCAE, 15 nm away - METAR: KCAE 051756Z 02007KT 340V050 10SM FEW200 09/M06 A3034 ## 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 20220205001789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220205001789A), Feb 5, 2022: Dehavilland DHC-2, Gilbert, SC, Substantial damage. Pilot forgot to set flaps to takeoff setting. Pilot recognized this too late in takeoff roll for safe abort, and attempted no-flap takeoff. There was not… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 25, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104598. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13263846&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 317 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13263288&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf 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.