# NTSB GAA18CA581: De Havilland DHC 2 MK. I(L20A), N9RW, Kukaklek Lake, AK, September 24, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 23, 2018, 18:00 local (Sep 24, 2018, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Kukaklek Lake, AK - Coordinates: 59.189998, -155.149993 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.1900&lon=-155.1500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 8, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98447 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA581 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98447/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98447 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA581 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to see and avoid a sand bar during a water takeoff, which resulted in the airplane impacting a river bank. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=2808002), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=2808002), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093) (defining event); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A), 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=2808002), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A), 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2808002), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that, during landing on a river to pick up passengers, he observed that the river was low and that sand bars were visible. During takeoff, the left float contacted a sand bar in shallow water, and the airplane impacted the river bank. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that, during landing on a river to pick up passengers, he observed that the river was low, and sand bars were visible. During takeoff, the left float contacted a sand bar in shallow water and the airplane impacted the river bank. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9RW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9RW), registered now, S/N 1095 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: De Havilland DHC 2 MK. I(L20A) (No Series) - Registry model: [Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A)](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-dhc-2-mk-i-l20a) (registry code 2808002) (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: 1095 - Year built: 1956 - Engines: P&W R985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: T-Corp - Registered owner: T-Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Flight plan: Company VFR - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 2, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 5,500 total, 3,400 in this make and model, 5,250 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.72 inHg - Observed at: PAIG, 25 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 20180923014039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180923014039A), Sep 23, 2018: Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A), Iliamna, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft operating under part 91 lodge/guide ops, landed on moraine river near the mouth into kukaklek lake to pick up rafters and their gear. After loading… ## Other investigations on N9RW (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 ANC10CA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10CA054), Jun 28, 2010: Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A) (N9RW), Igiugig, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's decision to use only a portion of the available takeoff area, which resulted in a collision with terrain during takeoff. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 20, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98447. 7.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 7.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469665&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 178 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469666&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.