Summary
On November 29, 2003, a Dehavilland DHC-2 (N13VF) was involved in an incident near Kodiak, AK. All 3 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: 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.
On November 29, 2003, about 0935 Alaska standard time, an amphibious float-equipped deHavilland DHC-2 airplane, N13VF, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain during the final approach phase of landing at Viekoda Bay, about 30 miles west-southwest of Kodiak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) on-demand passenger flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by Andrew Airways Inc., Kodiak. The airline transport certificated pilot, and the two passengers, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company VFR flight following procedures were in effect.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC04LA010. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N13VF.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
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.
Aircraft Information
Analysis
On November 29, 2003, about 0935 Alaska standard time, an amphibious float-equipped deHavilland DHC-2 airplane, N13VF, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain during the final approach phase of landing at Viekoda Bay, about 30 miles west-southwest of Kodiak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) on-demand passenger flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by Andrew Airways Inc., Kodiak. The airline transport certificated pilot, and the two passengers, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company VFR flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the Kodiak Airport about 0915.
During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on November 29, the director of operations for the operator reported that the pilot was preparing to land near a cabin at Viekoda Bay, located on the west side of Kodiak Island. The director of operations said that a 10 to 15 knot wind was blowing from the bay toward the land, and the pilot decided to approach over land. The pilot told the director of operations that 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 on the east side of the island, is Kodiak. At 0853, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) was reporting in part: Wind, calm; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, clear; temperature, 27 degrees F; dew point, 16 degrees F; altimeter, 29.73 inHg.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC04LA010