# NTSB SEA94LA159: de Havilland DHC-2, N6782L, Friday Harbor, WA, May 26, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 25, 1994, 18:15 local (May 26, 1994, 01:15 UTC) - Place: Friday Harbor, WA - Coordinates: 48.529632, -123.060081 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5296&lon=-123.0601&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 41961 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA159 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41961/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA159 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S ACCIDENTAL EXTENSION OF HIS HAND INTO THE ARC OF THE TURNING PROPELLER. FACTORS INCLUDE HIGH WINDS DURING THE DOCKING PROCESS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Propeller/rotor contact to person, taxi - from landing - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor) ## Analysis WHILE TAXIING THE FLOAT-EQUIPPED AIRPLANE TO DOCKING, THE PILOT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE IGNITION, AND IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE CABIN. HE THEN QUICKLY WALKED FORWARD ON ONE OF THE FLOATS IN ORDER TO KEEP THE AIRCRAFT FROM CONTACTING THE DOCK. AS HE WALKED PAST THE PROPELLER, WHICH WAS STILL TURNING, HE EXTENDED HIS HAND TO MAINTAIN BALANCE, AND THE PROPELLER IMPACTED HIS WRIST. ## Factual narrative On May 25, 1994, approximately 1815 Pacific daylight time (PDT), the pilot of a float-equipped DeHavilland DHC-2, N6782L, was struck by the propeller of his aircraft while docking at Friday Harbor Seaplane Base. None of his five passengers were injured, and the aircraft was not damaged. The FAR Part 135 passenger flight, which departed Orcas Island about ten minutes earlier, was operating in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. The aircraft was on a company VFR flight plan, and there was no ELT activation. According to the pilot, who was taxiing to docking in winds of about 15 knots, he jumped out of the aircraft soon after shutting off the engine ignition. Although the propeller was still turning, he moved quickly to the front of the float so he could keep the aircraft from contacting the dock. As he moved forward on the float, he extended his arm to help maintain balance, and the propeller hit one of his wrists. The pilot's injuries were classified as serious on June 28, 1994. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6782L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6782L), registered now, S/N 820, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: de Havilland DHC-2 - Registry model: [Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A)](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-dhc-2-mk-i-l20a) (registry code 2808002) (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: 820 - Airframe hours: 10109 - Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: No damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Kenmore Air Harbor, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 12, 1994, 56 hours before - Departed: ORS, ORCAS ISLAND, WA - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: WA24, Friday Harbor ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,414 total, 511 in this make and model, 2,332 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 245° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °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 19940525032609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940525032609A), May 25, 1994: Dhav DHC2MK1, Friday Harbor, WA. During docking pilot got out on float to avoid bumping dock. Pilots hand was struck by last turns of propeller. ## Other investigations on N6782L (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 ANC23LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA057), Jul 26, 2023: Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A) (N6782L), Point Baker, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff with a quartering tailwind. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.