# NTSB SEA91LA122: de Havilland Beaver DHC-2 MK.1, N21LU, Friday Harbor, WA, June 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 2, 1991, 15:25 local (22:25 UTC)
- Place: Friday Harbor, WA
- Coordinates: 48.530647, -123.060691 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5306&lon=-123.0607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 7 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41442
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41442/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA122

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE PILOT DID NOT MAINTAIN A PROPER CLEARANCE FROM AN OBJECT, THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE WIND CONDITIONS, AND DELAYED REMEDIAL ACTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - aborted
  - object - other
  - pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - passenger briefing - inadequate, pilot in command
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKE OFF WATER RUN IN A FLOATPLANE, WITH A CROSSWIND FROM THE RIGHT AT 20 KNOTS, THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF AND ATTAINED AN ALTITUDE OF NO MORE THAN 15 FEET, WHEN THE PILOT OPTED TO ABORT THE TAKE OFF.  JUST AS THE PILOT REDUCED POWER, THE LEFT WING COLLIDED WITH A MOORED TUG BOAT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N21LU (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1 (BEAVER DHC)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6617
- Airframe hours: 2292
- Engines: P&W R-985 AN14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Lake Union Air Service
- Registered owner: Lake Union Air Service
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 22, 1991, 43 hours before
- Destination: WA57, SEATTLE, WA
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: WA24, Friday Harbor

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,200 total, 1,050 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 220 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 61 °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 19910602018419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910602018419A), Jun 2, 1991: Dhav DHC2MK1, Friday Harbor, WA, Substantial damage. Drifted on downwind water takeoff saw tug in path. Aborted. Wing hit smokes tack rotating seaplane into tug.

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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