Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Loss of Control in Flight: de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver, N77KZ; accident occurred September 22, 2019 in Mountain Village, Alaska

View of damage to the elevator.


Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Anchorage, Alaska 

Aviation Accident Factual 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/N77KZ

Location: Mountain Village, AK
Accident Number: GAA19CA563
Date & Time: 09/22/2019, 1450 AKD
Registration: N77KZ
Aircraft: De Havilland BEAVER DHC 2
Aircraft Damage:Substantial 
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 3 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter - Non-scheduled 

The pilot in the float-equipped airplane reported that, he did not extend the flaps before he accelerated for takeoff. Shortly after coming on step, "I rolled the ailerons to the left and applied back pressure to the yoke to become airborne." However, the airplane did not become airborne before the floats struck the tundra, the airplane bounced and skidded to a stop, upright.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left elevator.

The pilot reported that he had not maintained a sterile cockpit during takeoff, and he failed to complete the Before Takeoff Checklist.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age:32, Male 
Airplane Rating(s): 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 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 11/26/2018
Occupational Pilot:Yes 
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 08/29/2019
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 2200 hours (Total, all aircraft), 830 hours (Total, this make and model), 2100 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 250 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 150 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 6 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: De Havilland
Registration: N77KZ
Model/Series: BEAVER DHC 2 No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1955
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 950
Landing Gear Type: Float;
Seats: 3
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 09/14/2019, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 5370 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 9333.6 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Pratt & Whitney
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: R-985-AN-14B
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power:450 hp 
Operator:On file 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand Air Taxi (135)
Operator Does Business As:
Operator Designator Code: R59C

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: PAMO, 337 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 10 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2302 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 357°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 2500 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 3800 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 10 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 190°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting:
Temperature/Dew Point: 9°C / 4°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Mountain Village, AK
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Company VFR
Destination: Mountain Village, AK
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1500 AKD
Type of Airspace:Class G 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries:3 None
Latitude, Longitude: 61.934722, -163.664167 (est)