Pilot Debrief

DEHAVILLAND DHC 2 near Dilllingham, AK — 2017-07-21

Final reportANC17CA038
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Date
2017-07-21
Location
Dilllingham, AK, USA
Airport
OZ3
Aircraft
DEHAVILLAND DHC 2
Registration
N364RA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to set the wing flaps to the "takeoff" position, which resulted in a longer-than-normal takeoff run and collision with terrain.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that he was departing on a postmaintenance flight check in a float-equipped airplane from a short water lane at a remote, unimproved seaplane base. While taxiing for departure, he left the wing flaps in the "up" position to aid in turning the airplane on the water. After aligning the airplane for the takeoff run, he applied full power, and the airplane accelerated onto the step. While attempting to rotate, he realized that he had forgotten to reset the wing flaps to the "takeoff" position. He attempted to reset the manually operated, hydraulically actuated wing flaps, but the incorrect flap setting led to a longer-than-normal takeoff run, and the airplane subsequently impacted the water lane's far bank, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and left-wing strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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