Pilot Debrief

De Havilland DHC-2 near Ketchikan, AK — 2019-06-27

Final reportANC19LA028
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Date
2019-06-27
Location
Ketchikan, AK, USA
Airport
5KE
Aircraft
De Havilland DHC-2
Registration
N94DC
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

A loss of directional control while landing, which resulted in a water loop.

NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, upon touchdown in the float-equipped airplane, the seaplane skipped, and the right float dug into the water. A video recorded by a cruise ship passenger captured the accident sequence and revealed that the airplane was landing parallel to an ocean swell and touched down in a relatively flat pitch attitude. After touchdown and encountering the swell, the airplane veered to the left, water looped, nosed down, and began to submerge. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, left lift strut, and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen a different landing approach to avoid the swell.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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