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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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December 7, 1987 · De Havilland DHC-2 MK1 · N17597

Metlakatla, AK

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 7, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Location
Metlakatla, AK
Aircraft
De Havilland DHC-2 MK1
Tail Number
N17597
Operator
Temsco Airlines
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA88LA029

ON FINAL APPROACH FOR LANDING THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED HIGH GUSTING WINDS. THE AIRCRAFT THEN STALLED AND ENTERED A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. ACCORDNG TO ONE PASSENGER THE PILOT WAS HOLDING FULL AFT ELEVATOR DURING THE DESCENT. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE WATER HARD, BREAKING OFF THE FLOATS. THE AIRCRAFT THEN SANK SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER STRIKING THE WATER. THIS AIRCRAFT HAS NO STALL WARNING SYSTEM.

Full Narrative

ON FINAL APPROACH FOR LANDING THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED HIGH GUSTING WINDS. THE AIRCRAFT THEN STALLED AND ENTERED A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. ACCORDNG TO ONE PASSENGER THE PILOT WAS HOLDING FULL AFT ELEVATOR DURING THE DESCENT. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE WATER HARD, BREAKING OFF THE FLOATS. THE AIRCRAFT THEN SANK SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER STRIKING THE WATER. THIS AIRCRAFT HAS NO STALL WARNING SYSTEM.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:10 AKST
Nearest AirportMetlakatla Seaplane (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDe Havilland DHC-2 MK1
Tail NumberN17597
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTemsco Airlines
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-985 · Reciprocating · 450
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 3 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured3
Total4
Crew 1Age 29 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 20 kt, gusting 30 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingOvercast 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data