# NTSB SEA89FA036: de Havilland DHC-3, N11250, Ketchikan, AK, January 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 15, 1989, 08:10 local (12:10 UTC)
- Place: Ketchikan, AK
- Coordinates: 55.610351, -131.579483 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.6104&lon=-131.5795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40910
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89FA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40910/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89FA036

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADVERTANT FLIGHT INTO IFR CONDITIONS AND THE STALL WHICH OCCURRED DURING THE TURN TO REVERSE COURSE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE SNOW CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - maneuver - excessive, pilot in command
  - stall - inadvertent (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER DEPARTING THE FLOATPLANE BASE ON A COMPANY VFR FLIGHT PLAN, THE SCHEDULED COMMUTER FLIGHT PROCEEDED NORTHWEST ALONG A SALT WATER STRAIT AT A LOW ALTITUDE ABOVE WATER. TWO MILES NW OF THE ARPT THE ACFT ENTERED A SNOW SQUALL AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A STEEP TURN TO REVERSE COURSE. DURING THE TURN THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED AND SANK IN 167 FT DEEP WATER. SEARCH AND RESCUE EFFORTS WERE SUSPENDED AFTER 4 DAYS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11250](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11250-1993-03-31), registration cancelled 1993-03-31, S/N 171 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland DHC-3
- Registry model: [Dehavilland DHC-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-dhc-3) (registry code 2800202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 171
- Airframe hours: 10366
- Engines: P&W R-1340-59 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Temsco Helicopters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 23, 1988, 62 hours before
- Departed: 5KE, KETCHIKAN, AK
- Destination: 9Z0, KLAWOCK, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,470 total, 150 in this make and model, 1,450 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: KTN, 1 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 19890115000439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890115000439A), Jan 15, 1989: Dhav DHC3, Ketchikan, AK, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into heavy snow squall while trying to stay contact low over water. Lost control in steep turn sank on impact.

## Other investigations on N11250 (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 ANC85LAA05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LAA05), Sep 11, 1985: de Havilland DHC-3 (N11250), Cape Douglas, 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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