DEHAVILLAND DHC-2 MK. I(L20A)

Skwentna, AK — December 17, 2012

Event Information

DateDecember 17, 2012
Event TypeACC
NTSB NumberANC13CA018
Event ID20121217X90619
LocationSkwentna, AK
CountryUSA
Coordinates61.97639, -152.06750
Highest InjuryNONE

Aircraft

MakeDEHAVILLAND
ModelDHC-2 MK. I(L20A)
CategoryAIR
FAR Part135
Aircraft DamageSUBS

Conditions

Light ConditionDAYL
WeatherVMC

Injuries

Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
None1
Total Injured0

Event Location

Probable Cause

The pilot's loss of control while landing in gusting wind conditions.

Full Narrative

The pilot reported that when he departed, about 50 minutes before the accident, the wind was “light out of the north, northwest." As he continued the flight, the wind became variable southwest to northeast. Once he reached his destination, an off-airport snow-covered site, landing the wheel/ski-equipped airplane required a correction for a right quartering headwind that was gusting 20 to 25 knots. During the approach, about 20 to 25 feet above the site, the wind shifted to a tailwind. The airplane landed hard in a three-point attitude. A postaccident inspection of the airplane revealed structural damage to the empennage. There were no reported preaccident malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane landed hard in a three point attitude.

About This NTSB Record

This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.

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