# NTSB SEA89FA027: de Havilland DHC-2, N89U, Kasaan, AK, December 14, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 14, 1988, 15:05 local (19:05 UTC)
- Place: Kasaan, AK
- Location: 55.5611° N, 132.4068° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Kasaan, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.5611&lon=-132.4068&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 8, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40909
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89FA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40909/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89FA027

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted landing - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT PLANNED TO LAND AT A SEAPLANE BASE THAT WAS LOCATED IN A BOWL-SHAPED COVE. DRG THE LANDING, THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN LONG ON WATER SWELLS & THE PLT ELECTED TO GO AROUND. WITNESSES RPRTD THAT DRG THE GO-AROUND, THE PLT INITIATED A STEEP TURN WHILE STILL AT LOW ALT TO AVOID BUILDINGS & RISING TERRAIN. HOWEVER, THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP DSCNT & CRASHED ON A WOODEN WALKWAY ALONG THE SHORELINE NEAR THE SEAPLANE DOCK. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT OR ENG WAS EVIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N89U-2006-09-27), registration cancelled 2006-09-27, S/N 160, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland DHC-2
- Registry model: [Dehavilland BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-beaver-dhc-2-mk-1) (registry code 2800102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 160
- Airframe hours: 15639
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Ketchikan Air Service
- Registered owner: Ketchikan Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1988, 13 hours before
- Departed: KTB, THORNE RIVER, AK
- Destination: KXA
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: KXA, Kasaan Spb

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,752 total, 1,565 in this make and model, 2,543 as pilot in command, 302 in the last 90 days, 76 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: KTN, 26 nm away

## 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 19881214054129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881214054129A), Dec 14, 1988: Dhav DHC2MK1, Kasaan, AK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Bounced off 3 foot waves on landing, began go around. Banked to avoid buildings on shore. Stalled,crashed and burned

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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