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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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March 20, 1986 · De Havilland DHC-4A · N539Y

Lime Village, AK

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 20, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Lime Village, AK
Aircraft
De Havilland DHC-4A
Tail Number
N539Y
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ANC86FA037

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT ON FINAL APPROACH WITH ITS GEAR DOWN THEN THE NOSE PITCHED UP. THE ACFT ROLLED LEFT AND CRASHED INTO TREES. THE ACFT'S COCKPIT, CABIN, ENGINE NACELLES, CARGO AND PORTIONS OF THE WINGS WERE DESTROYED BY POST-IMPACT FIRE. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE LANDING GEAR WAS IN THE UP AND LOCKED POSITION AND THE FLAPS WERE AT 30 DEGREES. THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH A GO-AROUND CONFIGURATION. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION/FAILURE COULDBE DETERMINED. THE ACFT HAD A RESTRICTED CATEGORY AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATE. THE CARGO AREA CONTAINED TWO FUEL TANKS ANDASSORTED ITEMS (OIL STOVE, TOOLS, 55 GALLON DRUM AND HOSES).THE PILOT WAS TYPE RATED IN THIS AIRCRAFT. THE RWY LENGTH LISTED IN THE ALASKA SUPPLEMENT WAS 1000 FT LONGER THAN THE ACTUAL RWY LENGTH. THE RUNWAY WAS GLAZED WITH ICE.

Full Narrative

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT ON FINAL APPROACH WITH ITS GEAR DOWN THEN THE NOSE PITCHED UP. THE ACFT ROLLED LEFT AND CRASHED INTO TREES. THE ACFT'S COCKPIT, CABIN, ENGINE NACELLES, CARGO AND PORTIONS OF THE WINGS WERE DESTROYED BY POST-IMPACT FIRE. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE LANDING GEAR WAS IN THE UP AND LOCKED POSITION AND THE FLAPS WERE AT 30 DEGREES. THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH A GO-AROUND CONFIGURATION. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION/FAILURE COULDBE DETERMINED. THE ACFT HAD A RESTRICTED CATEGORY AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATE. THE CARGO AREA CONTAINED TWO FUEL TANKS ANDASSORTED ITEMS (OIL STOVE, TOOLS, 55 GALLON DRUM AND HOSES).THE PILOT WAS TYPE RATED IN THIS AIRCRAFT. THE RWY LENGTH LISTED IN THE ALASKA SUPPLEMENT WAS 1000 FT LONGER THAN THE ACTUAL RWY LENGTH. THE RUNWAY WAS GLAZED WITH ICE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:30 AKST
Nearest AirportLime Village (25nm E)
Runway27
Runway Length1500 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDe Havilland DHC-4A
Tail NumberN539Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-2000-7M2 · Reciprocating · 1350
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 48 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 9 kt
Visibility100 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point19 C / 9 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data