# NTSB SEA86LA049: de Havilland DHC-2, N127WA, Metlakatla, AK, January 30, 1986 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 30, 1986, 12:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Metlakatla, AK - Coordinates: 55.139511, -131.490341 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.1395&lon=-131.4903&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 9 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 40350 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86LA049 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40350/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA049 ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - proper assistance - not performed, ground personnel (cause) - compensation for wind conditions - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - water,rough (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - object - airport facility (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - object - aircraft moving on ground (contributing factor) - object - airport facility (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - proper assistance - not performed, ground personnel (cause) - compensation for wind conditions - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - water,rough (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - object - airport facility (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - object - aircraft moving on ground (contributing factor) - object - airport facility (contributing factor) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) WIND WAS 070 DEGREES AT 20 KTS WITH 6-12 INCH SWEELS. N127WA WAS POSITIONED AT NORTH SIDE OF DOCK FOR DEPARTURE TOWARD EAST. N1018H WAS HOLDING AT EAST SIDE OF DOCK. DECK HAND CAST OFF N127WA BEFORE PLT STARTED ENGINE; ACFT BEGAN TO DRIFT BACK INTO DOCK. PLT STARTED ENG, ATTEMPTED TO MANEUVER AWAY FROM DOCK, BUT DOCK PROXIMITY PROHIBITED USE OF SUFFICIENT POWER TO ESTABLISH STEERAGEWAY UNDER EXISTING WEATHER CONDITIONS. N127WA DRIFTED AROUND NORTHEAST CORNER OF DOCK AND INTO N1018H. N127WA SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AND PLT SHUT DOWN ENG. N1018H SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE, PLT TAXIED CLEAR. N127WA DRIFTED BACK INTO EAST SIDE OF DOCK, SUSTAINED FURTHER DAMAGE FROM WIND AND WAVE ACTION. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: N127WA (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: de Havilland DHC-2 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1242-A - Airframe hours: 11763 - Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Temsco Airlines - Registered owner: Temsco Airlines - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KTN, KETCHIKAN, AK - Destination: MTM, METLAKATLA, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: MTB, Metlakatla Seaplane Base ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N1018H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1018H-2000-04-14), registration cancelled 2000-04-14, S/N 732 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: de Havilland DHC-2 - Registry model: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-beaver-dhc-2) (registry code 2800108) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 732 - Airframe hours: 8150 - Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: West Flight Aviation - Registered owner: West Flight Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KTN, KETCHIKAN, AK - Destination: MTM, METLAKATLA, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: MTB, Metlakatla Seaplane Base ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N127WA; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,700 total, 2,700 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N1018H; age 56; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 11,000 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 217 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 20 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 36 °F ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19860130017151A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860130017151A), Jan 30, 1986: Dhav DHC2MK1, Metlakatla, AK, Substantial damage. Struck wingtip of 1018H departing dock in 2 foot waves. Drifted into pilings with additional damage. - [Accident 19860130017152A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860130017152A), Jan 30, 1986: Dhav DHC2MK2, Metlakatla, AK, Minor damage. While holding in 2 foot waves short of dock, wingtip struck by departing 127WA. 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.