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January 4, 2014 · Dehavilland Beaver DHC 2 MK.1 Marki · N5484U

Shaw Island, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 4, 2014
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Shaw Island, WA
Aircraft
Dehavilland Beaver DHC 2 MK.1 Marki (1960)
Tail Number
N5484U
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR14CA086

The pilot was departing on a personal local flight from a narrow, tree-lined, private airstrip, located on a small island, in a single-engine, amphibious float-equipped airplane. After lifting off, as he approached the departure end of the runway, the airplane suddenly rolled left into the trees. The airplane came to rest at the base of the trees, standing on its nose and float tips. The pilot said there were no known preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane, and that he thought either the flap system or aileron system had malfunctioned causing the abrupt left roll. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that when he took off the wind was calm. A resident of the island, who was working outside, heard and responded to the accident. He said the wind at his residence was gusty and varying in direction. The departure end of the runway is over a bay, and he said there were whitecaps on the bay when he arrived at the accident site. Two islands, one to the north and one to the west of the accident island, have automated weather reporting stations. The island to the north was reporting wind at 12 knots gusting to 20 knots. The island to the west was reporting calm wind. On site documentation revealed there was a break in the tree-line along the right side of the runway, about the same area where the loss of control occurred. A commercial airplane operator reported that he suspended flight operations to neighboring islands the afternoon of the accident, due to wind/wind shear. A postaccident examination of the airframe did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in variable wind conditions, resulting in a collision with trees lining the left side of the runway.

Full Narrative

The pilot was departing on a personal local flight from a narrow, tree-lined, private airstrip, located on a small island, in a single-engine, amphibious float-equipped airplane. After lifting off, as he approached the departure end of the runway, the airplane suddenly rolled left into the trees. The airplane came to rest at the base of the trees, standing on its nose and float tips. The pilot said there were no known preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane, and that he thought either the flap system or aileron system had malfunctioned causing the abrupt left roll. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that when he took off the wind was calm. A resident of the island, who was working outside, heard and responded to the accident. He said the wind at his residence was gusty and varying in direction. The departure end of the runway is over a bay, and he said there were whitecaps on the bay when he arrived at the accident site. Two islands, one to the north and one to the west of the accident island, have automated weather reporting stations. The island to the north was reporting wind at 12 knots gusting to 20 knots. The island to the west was reporting calm wind. On site documentation revealed there was a break in the tree-line along the right side of the runway, about the same area where the loss of control occurred. A commercial airplane operator reported that he suspended flight operations to neighboring islands the afternoon of the accident, due to wind/wind shear. A postaccident examination of the airframe did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 PST
Nearest AirportPrivate Shaw Island (1nm NNW)
Runwaynone
Runway Length1500 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDehavilland Beaver DHC 2 MK.1 Marki
Tail NumberN5484U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-985 SERIES · Reciprocating · 450
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 82 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility3 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time00:00
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data