# NTSB SEA95LA202: de Havilland DHC-2, N62SJ, Blakely Island, WA, September 2, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1995, 11:25 local (18:25 UTC)
- Place: Blakely Island, WA
- Coordinates: 48.560741, -122.799171 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5607&lon=-122.7992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42238
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA202
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42238/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA202

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS DURING TAKEOFF. A FACTOR WAS THE SUDDEN CHANGE IN WIND DIRECTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - sudden windshift (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE WATER TAKEOFF THE WINDS CHANGED FROM A HEADWIND TO A QUARTERING TAILWIND. ONE FLOAT DUG INTO THE WATER, AND THE AIRCRAFT TURNED TOWARD THE SHORE. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE IT IMPACTED THE SHORELINE.

## Factual narrative

On September 2, 1995, approximately 1125 Pacific daylight time, a float-equipped DeHavilland DHC-2, N62SJ, collided with the shoreline while attempting a takeoff near Blakely Island, Washington. The airline transport pilot and his passenger received minor injuries, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The personal pleasure flight, which was departing for an undetermined destination, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed.  The pilot reported that the ELT activated but it did not assist in locating the accident.

According to the FAA inspector who talked with the pilot, the pilot was beginning the takeoff run when he experienced a headwind which suddenly switched to a quartering tailwind. When the wind direction changed, one of the aircraft's floats dug into the water, and the aircraft turned toward the shore. The pilot was not able to stop the aircraft before it impacted the shoreline.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N62SJ (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland DHC-2
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 710
- Engines: P&W R-985-148BA 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sherman, Bill, doing business as Group III Aircraft, Inc.
- Registered owner: Group 3 Aircraft Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 8, 1995, 22 hours before
- Destination: LAKE SAMMAMISH, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,763 total, 335 in this make and model, 7,010 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- 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 19950902046939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950902046939A), Sep 2, 1995: Dhav DHC2MK2, Blakely Island, WA, Substantial damage. Beaver collided with shore line during water takeoff. Blamed windshift dug in a float. Swerved into shoreline.

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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