# NTSB LAX88LA226: de Havilland DHC-6-100, N202RH, Tau, Antarctica, June 17, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 17, 1988, 10:36 local (20:36 UTC)
- Place: Tau, Antarctica
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 15 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26037
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA226
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26037/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA226

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - powerplant controls - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach

## Analysis

THE CAPTAIN, WHO WAS FLYING THE TWIN OTTER FROM THE RIGHT SEAT, ENTERED A RIGHT HAND TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR LANDING. A LEFT QUARTERING, 15 KNOT HEADWIND, WAS GUSTING ACROSS THE AIRPORT. UPON TURNING TO THE FINAL APPROACH THE CAPTAIN REDUCED THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE POWER TO THE LOW SPEED RANGE FOR THE VISUAL APPROACH. AS THE AIRCRAFT NEARED THE RUNWAY THE RATE OF DESCENT ACCELERATED. THE CAPTAIN'S APPLICATION OF FULL ENGINE POWER FAILED TO ARREST THE AIRCRAFT'S RATE OF DESCENT AND THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N202RH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N202RH-1989-09-21), registration cancelled 1989-09-21, S/N 68 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland DHC-6-100
- Registry model: [Dehavilland DHC-6 TWIN OTTER](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-dhc-6-twin-otter) (registry code 2802606) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 68
- Airframe hours: 18403
- Engines: P&W PT6A-20 579 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Somoa Aviation
- Registered owner: Jack Wall Acft Sales, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PPG, PAGO PAGO, OF
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: H136, Tau, runway 17, 2,200 ×  ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 19,455 total, 3,393 in this make and model, 14,724 as pilot in command, 305 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 15 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19880617071009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880617071009A), Jun 17, 1988: Dhav DHC6100, Tau Village, American Samoa, Destroyed. Caught in downdraft on final for landing. Spooled up too late to prevent impact short of runway. Gusty wind factor.

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.