De Havilland DHC-2 N13VF

Summary

On 29 November 2003 at about 13:35 local time, a De Havilland DHC-2 registered N13VF was involved in an accident near Kodiak, Alaska, United States. 3 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 November 2003 at 13:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Kodiak, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

57.8500, -153.1167

Aircraft

De Havilland DHC-2

Registration

N13VF

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Kodiak → Viekoda Bay

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC04LA010

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather conditions, and his failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance, which resulted in a collision with terrain during the final landing approach. A factor contributing to the accident was the presence of a downdraft.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

During an on-demand air taxi flight, the airline transport certificated pilot was preparing to land an amphibious float-equipped airplane near a cabin that was located on the shore of a coastal bay. A 10 to 15 knot wind was blowing from the bay toward the land, and the pilot decided to approach over land. As the airplane descended over a small creek bed, adjacent to a hill, the airplane encountered a downdraft, and descended rapidly. The left wing collided with alder trees which spun the airplane 180 degrees. The right wing and float assembly were torn off the airplane. The closest official weather observation station, located 30 miles away, was reporting calm wind.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.