# NTSB SEA89LA124: de Havilland DHC-2, N46DG, Kassan, AK, June 21, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 20, 1989, 20:00 local (Jun 21, 1989, 04:00 UTC)
- Place: Kassan, AK
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41041
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41041/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA124

## Probable cause

THE EXCESSIVE TAXI SPEED USED BY THE PILOT IN THE EXISTING WEATHER CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GUSTY TAILWIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - to takeoff
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - taxispeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - to takeoff

## Analysis

AFTER DROPPING OFF EQUIPMENT AT A LAKESIDE CABIN, THE PILOT BEGAN TAXIING THE FLOATPLANE ON WATER IN GUSTY DOWNWIND CONDITIONS IN PREPARATION FOR TAKEOFF FROM THE LAKE. WHILE FAST TAXIING (ON THE STEP), HE NOTICED THE GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS AND RETARDED THE THROTTLE. THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER AND CAME TO REST INVERTED IN WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46DG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N46DG), registered now, S/N 340, 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: 340
- Engines: P&W R985-AN-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Ketchikan Air Servic, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: KASSAN, AK
- Destination: KTN, KETCHIKAN, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 970 total, 280 in this make and model, 825 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: KTN, 40 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 19890620024439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890620024439A), Jun 20, 1989: Dhav DHC2MK1, Kasaan, AK, Substantial damage. Strong surface wind raised a wing during step taxi for takeoff. Aircraft nosed over in the water.

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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