Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Landing Gear Not Configured: de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Mk I, N501J; accident occurred May 28, 2019 in Hollister, San Benito County, California




Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Fresno, California

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

https://registry.faa.gov/N501J


Location: Hollister, CA
Accident Number: GAA19CA108
Date & Time: 05/28/2019, 1530 PDT
Registration: N501J
Aircraft: De Havilland DHC 2
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Landing gear not configured
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

Analysis 

The pilot in the amphibious float-equipped airplane reported that he intended to perform a water landing. On the downwind leg of the approach, he performed his prelanding checks from memory, and he confirmed that the three green landing gear safe lights were illuminated. However, he added that he "should have looked for blue lights." The pilot landed on the water with the landing gear wheels extended, and the airplane pitched forward and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, the empennage, and the windscreen. The pilot asserted that he "should have used a checklist once airborne. Both the after takeoff and before landing checks would have saved me from this event." The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to retract the amphibious float's landing gear wheels before landing on the water. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to use the after takeoff and before landing checklists.

Findings

Aircraft 

Personnel issues
Use of equip/system - Pilot (Cause)
Use of checklist - Pilot (Factor)

Environmental issues
Water - Effect on operation (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-flare/touchdown
Landing gear not configured (Defining event)

Nose over/nose down

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport; Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 63, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 10/25/2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 05/07/2019
Flight Time: (Estimated) 15560 hours (Total, all aircraft), 111 hours (Total, this make and model), 11326 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 37 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 9 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: De Havilland
Registration: N501J
Model/Series: DHC 2 I
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2004
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate:
Serial Number: 1451
Landing Gear Type: Amphibian
Seats: 8
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 06/19/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 5370 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 4690 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: PRATT & WHITNEY
ELT: C91A installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: R-985 AN-14B
Registered Owner: Diesel Acquisitions Llc
Rated Power: 450 hp
Operator: Diesel Acquisitions Llc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: CVH, 705 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 17 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2235 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 313°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 15 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 260°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 29.97 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 21°C / 13°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Hollister, CA (CVH)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Hollister, CA (CVH)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1500 PDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 37.038056, -121.118056 (est)















A pilot is lucky to be alive after a landing went terribly wrong in Los Banos.

A de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Mk I ended upside down in San Luis Reservoir around 3:30 on Tuesday afternoon. The FAA says the plane flipped over while landing.

"It essentially looked like two capsized kayaks with wheels sticking up," said Gerald Heberling of California State Parks. 

Unable to see the plane, other than the bottom of the pontoons, Heberling says the pilot escaped and showed up at headquarters saying he flipped his plane in the lake. 

He was not hurt.

"I heard the pilot when he flipped over, he had a foot or two of air remaining in the plane so he was able to catch a breath and get out of the plane somehow," Heberling added.

The plane was eventually towed to land. It lost a wing, some of it is covered in dirt, and the windshield is shattered. 

On Wednesday, the pilot declined to talk to us but we're told the plane is a loss.

According to Federal Aviation Administration records, the plane is registered in California's Santa Clara County.

While this plane is designed to land in the water, State Parks says this landing was illegal.

"It has not been an aquaport for over five years because we have invasive species that we do not want in here," Heberling explained.

Heberling says there are also high winds that make it dangerous for floatplanes.

We're told the pilot was ticketed, and he could face charges.

Meantime, the plane is propped in the parking lot of the Basalt Boat Launch area where it's drawing attention. 

"It's a mess," said boater, Melvin Souza. "We came in this morning at 6 and we saw it here and thought what the heck happened."

State Parks says it expects the plane to be removed by Friday.

"This is a rare sight. We're very fortunate that the pilot was not injured and no one was hurt in this," Heberling concluded.

Original article ➤ https://www.yourcentralvalley.com



FRESNO, California (KFSN) -- A de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Mk I caused some confusion when it landed in the San Luis Reservoir near Los Banos Tuesday afternoon.

California State Parks officials say the reservoir was not the intended landing place for the privately owned plane. Authorities learned the pilot landed there by mistake and it was not an emergency landing.

The de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Mk I experienced a gear down landing, the floatplane came to rest inverted in the water, park officials said. The pilot was not injured.

Officials with the Department of Fish and Wildlife responded to the scene, and are responsible for removing the plane from the reservoir. California State Parks says the aircraft has not caused a hazard to the water.

The incident is under investigation by the California State Parks. They will determine whether charges will be filed.

Crews are waiting for clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration to move the plane. Another pilot has been brought in, and with the help of officials, will attempt to flip the aircraft right side up to fly it out.

Original article can be found here ➤ https://abc30.com

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