# NTSB SEA88LA029: de Havilland DHC-2 MK1, N17597, Metlakatla, AK, December 7, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 7, 1987, 13:10 local (17:10 UTC)
- Place: Metlakatla, AK
- Coordinates: 55.139202, -131.489349 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.1392&lon=-131.4893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40765
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40765/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA029

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, descent - normal
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall warning system - not installed (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ON FINAL APPROACH FOR LANDING THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED HIGH GUSTING WINDS. THE AIRCRAFT THEN STALLED AND ENTERED A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. ACCORDNG TO ONE PASSENGER THE PILOT WAS HOLDING FULL AFT ELEVATOR DURING THE DESCENT. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE WATER HARD, BREAKING OFF THE FLOATS. THE AIRCRAFT THEN SANK SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER STRIKING THE WATER. THIS AIRCRAFT HAS NO STALL WARNING SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17597](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N17597-1989-12-11), registration cancelled 1989-12-11, S/N 500 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland DHC-2 MK1
- Registry model: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-beaver-dhc-2-mk-1) (registry code 2800102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 500
- Airframe hours: 18857
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Temsco Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 10, 1987
- Departed: KTN, KETCHIKAN, AK
- Destination: MTM, METLAKATLA, AK
- Airport: MTM, Metlakatla Seaplane

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,456 total, 275 in this make and model, 1,320 as pilot in command, 109 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 39 °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 19871207069609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871207069609A), Dec 7, 1987: Dhav DHC2MK1, Metlakatla, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft forced into water in level attitude on approach in gusty winds. Bounced at impact, inverted and sank.

## Other investigations on N17597 (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 ANC69D0089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC69D0089), Nov 30, 1968: Dehavilland DHC-2 (N17597), Ketchikan, AK, substantial damage

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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