On May 24, 1992, a DE Havilland DHC-2-T (registration N4478) operated by Bryan Bergt was involved in an aviation accident near Alexander Creek, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot inadvertently shut off the fuel shutoff when he intended to activate the cabin heat, due to not looking at the handle he pulled. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot intending to activate cabin heat inadvertently shut off the fuel supply. The aircraft then landed on mud flats, where the amphibious float braces collapsed.
Incident Overview
A pilot reported that while attempting to turn on the cabin heat, he reached down and pulled a handle without visually confirming which handle he was grabbing. This action inadvertently shut off the emergency fuel shutoff valve. The cabin heat handle and the emergency fuel shutoff are located on the center pedestal behind the vertical column of the control yoke, approximately 8 inches apart. Each handle has a different shape and is placarded with a different colored placard. The fuel shutoff was safety wired to the ON position.
Landing and Damage
The aircraft was equipped with amphibious floats. At the time, the tide in Cook Inlet was receding, and the pilot chose to land on the mud flats. Upon touchdown, the float braces collapsed.
Probable cause
The pilot inadvertently shut off the fuel shutoff when he intended to activate the cabin heat, due to not looking at the handle he pulled.