# NTSB SEA85LA150: de Havilland DHC-2, N64395, Gustavis, AK, June 25, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1985, 18:30 local (Jun 25, 1985, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Gustavis, AK
- Coordinates: 58.420986, -135.78099 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.4210&lon=-135.7810&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40186
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40186/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA150

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, taxi - to takeoff
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE TAXIING THE FLOAT PLANE IN A GUSTY X-WIND, THE WIND & WATER CURRENT DRIFTED THE ACFT TOWARD A PARKED BOAT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE LEFT WING TIP STRUCK THE BOAT & WAS DAMAGED. BUT THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE BOAT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N64395 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland DHC-2
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 809
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael Mills
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: JNU, JUNEAU, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °F

## 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 19850624028219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850624028219A), Jun 24, 1985: Dhav DHC2MK1, Gustavus, AK, Substantial damage. During water taxi, the left wing struck a parked boat. Gusty crosswind and currents a 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.

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