Loss of Control in Flight: de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver, N1544; accident occurred October 07, 2019 Kodiak, Alaska

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Anchorage, Alaska

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

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N1544

Location: Kodiak, AK

Accident Number: GAA20CA007

Date & Time: 10/07/2019, 1410 AKD

Registration: N1544

Aircraft: De Havilland BEAVER DHC 2

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Defining Event: Loss of control in flight

Injuries: 1 None

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Positioning

Analysis

The pilot reported that, during landing on a glassy river and as he was rolling the wings level, he felt the left float touch the water. The airplane yawed left, went up a riverbank, and slid on the tundra. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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 maintain lateral control while landing on glassy water, which resulted in the left float touching the water, a loss of yaw control, and impact with a riverbank.

Findings

Aircraft

Lateral/bank control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Yaw control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues

Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues

Glassy surface - Effect on personnel (Cause)

Object/animal/substance - Effect on operation (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing

Loss of control in flight (Defining event)

Loss of control on ground

Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport; Flight Instructor

Age: 44, 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): Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane

Toxicology Performed: No

Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Waivers/Limitations

Last FAA Medical Exam: 02/14/2019

Occupational Pilot: Yes

Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 04/16/2019

Flight Time:  (Estimated) 8173 hours (Total, all aircraft), 238 hours (Total, this make and model), 7978 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 231 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 52 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 4 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: De Havilland

Registration: N1544

Model/Series: BEAVER DHC 2 No Series

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Year of Manufacture: 1958

Amateur Built: No

Airworthiness Certificate: Normal

Serial Number: 1230

Landing Gear Type: Float

Seats: 7

Date/Type of Last Inspection: 09/30/2019, 100 Hour

Certified Max Gross Wt.: 5370 lbs

Time Since Last Inspection:

Engines: 1 Reciprocating

Airframe Total Time: 31302.2 Hours as of last inspection

Engine Manufacturer:P&W 

ELT:  C126 installed, not activated

Engine Model/Series: R985

Registered Owner: Andrew Airways Inc

Rated Power:450 hp 

Operator: Andrew Airways Inc

Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand Air Taxi (135)

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: PAKH, 43 ft msl

Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles

Observation Time: 2156 UTC

Direction from Accident Site: 183°

Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear

Visibility:  

Lowest Ceiling: None

Visibility (RVR):

Wind Speed/Gusts: 12 knots /

Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None

Wind Direction: 240°

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A

Altimeter Setting: 30.38 inches Hg

Temperature/Dew Point: 11°C / 1°C

Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation

Departure Point: Larson Bay, AK

Type of Flight Plan Filed: Company VFR

Destination: Kodiak, AK

Type of Clearance: None

Departure Time:1357 ADT 

Type of Airspace: Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries: N/A

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: N/A

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 1 None

Latitude, Longitude: 56.938611, -154.182500 (est)