# NTSB SEA84FA185: de Havilland Beaver DHC-2, N4787C, Ketchikan, AK, July 26, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1984, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Ketchikan, AK
- Coordinates: 55.609191, -131.580673 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.6092&lon=-131.5807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 4 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39819
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84FA185
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39819/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84FA185

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (contributing factor)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not possible, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT FLEW INTO A CANYON WITH A CLIMB-OUT GRADIENT IN EXCESS OF THE ACFT CAPABILITY AND COLLIDED WITH THE UPSLOPING TERRAIN. THE PLT SAID HE HAD HIT A DOWNDRAFT AND TURNED AWAY FROM THE RISING TERRAIN JUST AS COLLISION OCCURRED. SURVIVING PASSENGERS DO NOT RECALL ANY TURBULENCE OR SINKING SENSATION BEFORE THE CRASH. THE PLT DID NOT REPORT ANY TURBULENCE OR DOWNDRAFTS ANYWHERE EXCEPT AT THE ACCIDENT SITE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4787C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4787C), registered now, S/N 1330 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland BEAVER DHC-2 (BEAVER DHC)
- Registry model: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-beaver-dhc-2) (registry code 2800108) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1330
- Airframe hours: 168
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Pro Mech, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 7, 1984, 82 hours before
- Departed: AK78, YES BAY, AK
- Destination: 5KE, KETCHIKAN, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,586 total, 1,510 in this make and model, 3,359 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: KTN

## 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 19840726053089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840726053089A), Jul 26, 1984: Dhav DHC2*, Wilson Lake, AK, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck trees on rising terrain after flying into a blind canyon on a sightseeing flight.

## Other investigations on N4787C (2)

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 ANC13LA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13LA068), Jul 24, 2013: Dehavilland Beaver DHC 2 (N4787C), Thorne Bay, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the No. 1 linkrod bushing or the bottom portion of the linkrod, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB ANC97FA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97FA159), Sep 30, 1997: de Havilland DHC-2 (N4787C), Ketchikan, AK, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's excessive climb and turning maneuver at low altitude, the pilot's inadvertent stall, and the intentional operation of the airplane with the required stall warning system disabled. Factors…

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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