# NTSB GAA17CA303: Dehavilland DHC 6, N708PV, Perris, CA, May 24, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 24, 2017, 15:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Perris, CA
- Coordinates: 33.761112, -117.218055 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7611&lon=-117.2181&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 3, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 95231
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA303
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95231/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95231
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA303

## Probable cause

The prospective pilot’s improper landing flare and the pilot’s delayed remedial action to initiate a go-around, which resulted in a runway excursion.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-6-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2802630), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Copilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-6-300, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2802630), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-6-300, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2802630), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md)
- [Wind: windshear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-6-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/cases.md?model=2802630), [All aircraft, 90 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: ground vehicle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-6-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md?model=2802630), [All aircraft, 132 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-6-300, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md?model=2802630), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-6-300, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2802630), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-6-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2802630), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-6-300, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2802630), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-6-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=2802630), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md)
- [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-6-300, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2802630), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-6-300, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2802630), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-6-300, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2802630), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the twin-engine, turbine-powered airplane reported that, while providing flights for skydivers throughout the day, he had a potential new hire pilot flying with him in the right seat. He added that, on the eighth flight of the day, the new pilot was flying during the approach and "approximately 200' [ft.] south from the threshold of [runway] 15 at approximately 15 feet AGL [above ground level] the bottom violently and unexpectedly dropped out. [He] believe[d] some kind of wind shear caused the aircraft [to] slam onto [the] runway and bounce into the air at a 45 to 60-degree bank angle to the right." The prospective pilot then said, "you got it." The pilot took control of the airplane and initiated a go-around by increasing power, which aggravated the "off runway heading." The right wing contacted the ground, the airplane exited the runway to the right and impacted a fuel truck, and the right wing separated from the airplane. The impact caused the pilot to unintentionally add max power, and the airplane, with only the left engine functioning, ground looped to the right, coming to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system about 8 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 280° at 7 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, few clouds at 20,000 ft agl, temperature 86°F, dew point 45°F, and altimeter 29.81 inches of mercury. The pilot landed on runway 15.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the twin-engine, turbine powered airplane reported that while providing flights for skydivers throughout the day, he had a potential new hire pilot flying with him in the right seat. He added that on the eighth flight of the day, the new pilot was flying during the approach and "approximately 200' [ft.] south from the threshold of [runway] 15 at approximately 15 feet AGL [above ground level] the bottom violently and unexpectedly dropped out. [He] believe[d] some kind of wind shear caused the aircraft [to] slam onto [the] runway and bounce into the air at a 45 to 60-degree bank angle to the right." The new pilot then said, "you got it". The pilot took the control and initiated a go around by increasing power which aggravated the "off runway heading". The right wing contacted the ground, the airplane exited the runway to the right, impacted a fuel truck and the right-wing separated from the airplane. The impact caused the pilot to unintentionally add max power and the airplane, with only the left engine functioning ground looped to the right, coming to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system about 8 nautical miles from the accident site, about the time of the accident, reported the wind from 280° at 7 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, few clouds at 20,000 ft. AGL, temperature 86°F, dew point 45°F, and altimeter 29.81 in Hg. The pilot landed on runway 15.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N708PV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N708PV), registered now, S/N 489, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DEHAVILLAND 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 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 489
- Year built: 1976
- Airframe hours: 37885.7
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-27 620 horsepower turbo prop; Pratt & Whitney PT6A-27 620 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Skydiving, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 1, 2017
- Departed: L65, Perris, CA
- Destination: L65, Perris, CA
- Airport: L65, Perris Valley, runway 15, 5,100 × 50 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 23, 2017; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 3,358 total, 2,131 in this make and model, 3,198 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours
- Co-pilot; age 31; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 15, 2016; seat: right; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,893 total, 12 in this make and model, 1,725 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.80 inHg
- Observed at: KRIV, 8 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 20170524015139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170524015139A), May 24, 2017: Dehavilland DHC-6-300, Perris, CA, Substantial damage. On 05/25/2017 at 15:15 PST, a Dehavilland DH-6-300 aircraft operated by Perris valley skydiving. The accident occurred just as the pilot was starting to flare…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 17, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95231. 1.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 794 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454326&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 467 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454327&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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.

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