1992-08-12: DE Havilland DHC-2 — Alaska West Air Service, Inc. — Crescent Lake, AK

Casualties unknown • Crescent Lake, AK, US

Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGING HIS ALTITUDE ON FINAL APPROACH. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GLASSY WATER CONDITION.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

APPROXIMATELY 5 SECONDS AFTER LEVELING THE WINGS ON FINAL APPROACH FOR A GLASSY WATER LANDING ON A LARGE LAKE, THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A HARD PREMATURE LANDING. THE FLOATS WERE SEPARATED, AND THE AIRPLANE SANK IMMEDIATELY. THE PILOT SAID THAT BECAUSE OF THE FLAT LIGHTING AND GLASSY WATER CONDITIONS HE LOST HIS DEPTH PERCEPTION AND MISJUDGED HIS ALTITUDE. HE SAID WHEN THE AIRPLANE HIT THE WATER HE THOUGHT HE WAS STILL 70 TO 80 FEET ABOVE THE WATER.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1992-08-12 DE Havilland DHC-2 accident near Crescent Lake, AK?

APPROXIMATELY 5 SECONDS AFTER LEVELING THE WINGS ON FINAL APPROACH FOR A GLASSY WATER LANDING ON A LARGE LAKE, THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A HARD PREMATURE LANDING. THE FLOATS WERE SEPARATED, AND THE AIRPLANE SANK IMMEDIATELY. THE PILOT SAID THAT BECAUSE OF THE FLAT LIGHTING AND GLASSY WATER CONDITIONS HE LOST HIS DEPTH…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1992-08-12 involved a DE Havilland DHC-2, registration N8190Y, operated by Alaska West Air Service, Inc., at Crescent Lake, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGING HIS ALTITUDE ON FINAL APPROACH. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GLASSY WATER CONDITION.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X15287. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

Loading the flight search…