Pilot Debrief

DEHAVILLAND DHC 2 near Petersville, AK — 2017-05-28

Final reportGAA17CA294
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Date
2017-05-28
Location
Petersville, AK, USA
Aircraft
DEHAVILLAND DHC 2
Registration
N561TA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for taxiing, which resulted in a nose-over.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the ski-equipped airplane reported that, as the tailwheel touched down on the glacier, the snow was deeper and softer than he had expected. He added that, during the uphill landing, he chose not to stop the airplane and risk getting stuck. Instead, he completed a turn at the top of the landing area but was unable to straighten the direction of travel enough for a takeoff. Subsequently, to straighten the airplane before the takeoff, he completed a left 360° turn. During the downhill takeoff, the airplane had poor acceleration and insufficient airspeed to fly, so he aborted the takeoff. As he reduced the engine power, the airplane slowed to what he felt to be a reasonable speed, and he initiated a left turn to taxi back to the top. Subsequently, the right ski dug into the snow, and the airplane came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

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