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August 18, 1988 · De Havilland DHC-2 MARK 1 DHC-2 MARK · N64398
Sitka, AK
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 18, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Sitka, AK
Aircraft
De Havilland DHC-2 MARK 1 DHC-2 MARK
Tail Number
N64398
Operator
Bellair
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA88FA156
WHILE ON A FLIGHT FROM SITKA TO ROWAN BAY, ALASKA, THE PILOT FLEW UP A VALLEY INTENDING TO CROSS A PASS WHOSE ELEVATION WAS 2745 FEET MSL. UPON APPROACHING THE PASS THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED CLOUDS WHICH PREVENTED HIS TRANSIT. THE PILOT THEN EXECUTED A 180 DEGREE RIGHT COURSE REVERSAL AND AT SOME POINT NEAR THE COMPLETION OF THE MANEUVER AND IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE STEEP TERRAIN ALONG THE WESTERN EDGE OF THE PASS THE PILOT ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO ENTER A STALL CONDITION. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE 40 DEGREE SLOPED TERRAIN IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN, NEAR WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE AND WITH A STEEP FLIGHT PATH.
Full Narrative
WHILE ON A FLIGHT FROM SITKA TO ROWAN BAY, ALASKA, THE PILOT FLEW UP A VALLEY INTENDING TO CROSS A PASS WHOSE ELEVATION WAS 2745 FEET MSL. UPON APPROACHING THE PASS THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED CLOUDS WHICH PREVENTED HIS TRANSIT. THE PILOT THEN EXECUTED A 180 DEGREE RIGHT COURSE REVERSAL AND AT SOME POINT NEAR THE COMPLETION OF THE MANEUVER AND IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE STEEP TERRAIN ALONG THE WESTERN EDGE OF THE PASS THE PILOT ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO ENTER A STALL CONDITION. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE 40 DEGREE SLOPED TERRAIN IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN, NEAR WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE AND WITH A STEEP FLIGHT PATH.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:20 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftDe Havilland DHC-2 MARK 1 DHC-2 MARK
Tail NumberN64398
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorBellair
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-985-AN14B · Reciprocating · 400
Seats8
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 31 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsUnknown
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 12 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingOvercast 3500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 45 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time08:49
Weather SourceWFAC