# NTSB GAA19CA492: Douglas DC3C, N59314, Kenai, AK, August 1, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 31, 2019, 17:55 local (Aug 1, 2019, 01:55 UTC) - Place: Kenai, AK - Coordinates: 60.589443, -152.157501 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.5894&lon=-152.1575&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 13, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100054 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA492 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100054/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100054 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA492 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain a proper approach path in gusting crosswind wind conditions, which resulted in landing short of the runway and impact with a ditch and runway light. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Douglas DC3C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=3021457), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Douglas DC3C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3021457), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: runway/taxi/approach light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Douglas DC3C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md?model=3021457), [All aircraft, 106 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Douglas DC3C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=3021457), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Douglas DC3C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=3021457), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Douglas DC3C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=3021457), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) (defining event); cases with it: [Douglas DC3C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=3021457), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Douglas DC3C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3021457), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the approach, the airplane encountered a downdraft, and the tailwheel landed short of the runway threshold, struck a ditch, and impacted a runway light. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the wind was a "22+ knot front left quartering crosswind and gusting." ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during approach, he encountered a downdraft and the tailwheel landed short of the runway threshold, struck a ditch, and impacted a runway light. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the wind was a "22+ knot front left quartering crosswind and gusting." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N59314](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N59314), registered now, S/N 12363 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Douglas DC3C (A) - Registry model: [Douglas DC3C](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc3c) (registry code 3021455) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-1830-90D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-1830-90d) (registry code 51622, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12363 - Year built: 1943 - Airframe hours: 24287.7 - Engines: P&W R-1830-90D 1200 horsepower reciprocating; P&W R0-01830-92 1200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Bush Air Cargo, Inc., doing business as Bush Air Fuel - Registered owner: Tiernan, Barton M. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Departed: ENA, Kenai, AK - Destination: 3AK5, Kenai, AK - Flight plan: VFR/IFR - Airport: 3AK5, Drift River, runway 23, 4,100 × 150 ft, gravel - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 28, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 10,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 7,000 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days - Co-pilot; age 44; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 29, 2019; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 7,100 total, 4,590 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 16 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: PAEN, 27 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 20190731013059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190731013059A), Jul 31, 2019: Douglas DC3C, Kenai, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft flew a right hand pattern for runway 23. On final, experienced turbulence and approximately a 22+ knot left quartering headwind with gusts. Pilot… ## Other investigations on N59314 (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 ANC79FA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC79FA074), Jun 27, 1979: Douglas DC3C (N59314), Bettles, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 24, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100054. 5.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477061&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 141 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477062&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477063&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.