1989-09-02: DE Havilland DHC-3 — Sheenjek River, AK

Casualties unknown • Sheenjek River, AK, US

Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO GO AROUND WHEN HE WAS UNABLE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT AND HIS EXCESSIVE APPLICATION OF BRAKES DURING THE LANDING. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: THE DOWNDRAFT, EXCESSIVE REMEDIAL ACTION, AND SOFT TERRAIN.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PLT RPRTD THAT AS THE ACFT WAS ON A SHORT FINAL APCH TO LAND ON A GRAVEL BAR, IT ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT. TO AVOID CONTACTING THE WATER, HE CORRECTED WITH ELEVATOR CONTROL & POWER, BUT THE ACFT GAINED MORE ALTITUDE THAN HE DESIRED. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE GRAVEL BAR BEYOND THE INTENDED TOUCHDOWN POINT. AS THE PLT WAS APPLYING HEAVY BRAKING TO STOP ON THE GRAVEL BAR, THE WHEELS DUG INTO THE SANDY TERRAIN & THE ACFT NOSED OVER.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-09-02 DE Havilland DHC-3 accident near Sheenjek River, AK?

THE PLT RPRTD THAT AS THE ACFT WAS ON A SHORT FINAL APCH TO LAND ON A GRAVEL BAR, IT ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT. TO AVOID CONTACTING THE WATER, HE CORRECTED WITH ELEVATOR CONTROL & POWER, BUT THE ACFT GAINED MORE ALTITUDE THAN HE DESIRED. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE GRAVEL BAR BEYOND THE INTENDED TOUCHDOWN…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1989-09-02 involved a DE Havilland DHC-3, registration N17689, at Sheenjek River, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO GO AROUND WHEN HE WAS UNABLE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT AND HIS EXCESSIVE APPLICATION OF BRAKES DURING THE LANDING. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: THE DOWNDRAFT, EXCESSIVE REMEDIAL ACTION, AND SOFT TERRAIN.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X29267. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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