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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

September 17, 1994 · De Havilland DHC2 · N1433Z

Whittier, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 17, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (6 uninjured)
Location
Whittier, AK
Aircraft
De Havilland DHC2
Tail Number
N1433Z
Operator
Rust S Flying Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC94LA142

THE PILOT WAS LANDING A FLOAT EQUIPPED AIRPLANE IN A SMALL HARBOR ADJACENT TO AN OCEAN CHANNEL. THE ON-DEMAND CHARTER FLIGHT WAS TRANSPORTING FIVE PASSENGERS TO A REMOTE CABIN. DUE TO LARGE OCEAN SWELLS IN THE CHANNEL, THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND IN THE HARBOR AND DURING THE LANDING RUNOUT, ENCOUNTERED A TAILWIND THAT EXTENDED THE WATER RUN. AS THE AIRPLANE TRAVELED ABEAM A BREAK IN THE SHORELINE AT THE HARBOR ENTRANCE, IT WAS HIT BY AN UNEXPECTED GUST OF WIND FROM THE RIGHT. THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO TURN TOWARD THE RIGHT. ALL ATTEMPTS BY THE PILOT TO CONTROL THE AIRCRAFT WERE INEFFECTIVE. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A BEACH AREA AT THE NORTH END OF THE HARBOR.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE IN-FLIGHT PLANNING AND INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS. AN INITIAL TAIL WIND AND LATER A CROSSWIND WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

Full Narrative

On September 17, 1994, at 1200 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped DeHavilland DHC2 Beaver airplane, N1433Z, registered to and operated by Rust's Flying Service of Anchorage, Alaska, collided with terrain while landing in a small harbor area of the Culross passage, approximately 18 miles east of Whittier, Alaska. The commercial certificated pilot-in-command and his five revenue passengers were not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The on-demand revenue flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 135, last departed Anchorage and the intended destination was the area in which the accident occurred. The pilot reported that visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company flight plan was in effect. Due to large ocean swells in the Culross channel, the pilot elected to land in a small harbor adjacent to the channel. The pilot reported that during the landing runout, the plane encountered a tailwind that extended the water run. As the airplane traveled abeam a break in the shoreline at the harbor entrance, it was hit by an unexpected gust of wind from the right which effectively put the plane in a right turn. All efforts to control the turning (full left rudder, flaps up, water rudders down, throttle idle) were to no avail and the plane impacted a beach area at the north end of the harbor, bow first. All right side float struts were broken and the fuselage was essentially resting upon the right float.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 AKDT
Nearest AirportCulross Passage (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDe Havilland DHC2
Tail NumberN1433Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRust S Flying Service
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-985 · Reciprocating · 450
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (6 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured6
Total6
Crew 1Age 42 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind15 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data