# NTSB GAA18CA565: De Havilland DHC 2, N121AK, Igiugig, AK, September 20, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 20, 2018, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Igiugig, AK - Coordinates: 59.325, -155.900833 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.3250&lon=-155.9008&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 6 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 8, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98343 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA565 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98343/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98343 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA565 ## Probable cause The pilot’s selection of an empty fuel tank for takeoff, which resulted in fuel starvation and the subsequent total loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=2808001), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2808001), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=2808001), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2808001), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2808001), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=2808001), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2808001), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2808001), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2808001), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that, during the initial climb after a water takeoff, about 200 ft, he turned right, and the engine lost power. He immediately switched fuel tanks and attempted to restart the engine to no avail. The airplane descended and struck trees, and the right wing impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector that, during the initial climb and after the engine lost power, he noticed that the center tank, which was selected for takeoff, was empty. He added that passengers stated that the engine did regain power after switching tanks, but the airplane had already struck trees. The pilot reported as a recommendation to more closely follow checklists. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that, during the initial climb after a water takeoff, about 200 ft, he turned right, and the engine lost power. He immediately switched fuel tanks and attempted to restart the engine to no avail. The airplane descended and struck trees, the right wing impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector that, during the initial climb, after the engine lost power, he noticed that the center tank, which was selected for takeoff, was empty. He added that passengers stated that the engine did regain power after switching tanks, but the airplane had already struck trees. The pilot reported as a recommendation to more closely follow checklists. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N121AK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N121AK-2022-05-07), registration cancelled 2022-05-07, S/N 121, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: De Havilland DHC 2 (I) - Registry model: [Dehavilland DHC-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-dhc-2) (registry code 2808001) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 121 - Year built: 1951 - Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Igiugig, AK - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2018; seat: left; flight hours: 12,496 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 10,632 as pilot in command, 198 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 6 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 800 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: PAIG ## 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 20180920013879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180920013879A), Sep 20, 2018: Dehavilland DHC-2, Igiugig, AK, Substantial damage. The flight began at the lake near Igiugig AK (igg) for a down stream take off. There were six passengers plus the pilot. The pilot noted that the water… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 14, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98343. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469491&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469492&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-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. --- 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.