De Havilland DHC-2 MK. I accident near Washougal, WA
On November 27, 1999, a De Havilland DHC-2 MK. I (airplane) was involved in an accident near Washougal, WA. 4 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- November 27, 1999
- Place
- Washougal, WA
- Aircraft
- De Havilland DHC-2 MK. I · Airplane
- Injuries
- 4 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 45.609°N, 122.229°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001212X20174
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On November 27, 1999, approximately 1455 Pacific standard time, a deHavilland DHC-2 Mk. I amphibious floatplane, N666XT, was substantially damaged in a crash into the Columbia River following takeoff from the river approximately 9 nautical miles east of Washougal, Washington. The private pilot-in-command of the aircraft and three passengers (the pilot's sons, ages 14, 13, and 9) received fatal injuries in the accident. The FAA reported no record of a flight plan being filed for the 14 CFR 91 personal flight, and witnesses reported that visual meteorological conditions existed in the accident area at the time. The flight's destination was not determined. A witness to the accident, who stated he observed the accident from a boat anchored north of the river shipping channel and adjacent to Multnomah Falls, reported that the aircraft initially performed "a seemingly normal takeoff, flying past my boat in an easterly direction as he did so." He stated that the aircraft departed upwind to the east, then reappeared "only a few seconds later." The witness reported: ...I looked over just in time to see the aircraft, which was now slightly to the North of it's [sic] departure path, and flying in a westerly direction at approximately 400 feet [above ground level]. Suddenly, the left wing of the aircraft dropped sharply, and the plane began a vertical descent with the left wing leading. Due [to] the sound of the engine, the aircraft appeared to be developing full power at the onset of the accident. The aircraft struck the water with a great deal of force, in about fif
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to ensure attainment of adequate airspeed prior to initiating a steep turn at low altitude, resulting in an accelerated stall. A factor contributing to the occurrence of the accident was the aircraft's low altitude. Factors contributing to the severity of the accident included a water impact, and jammed/restricted doors due to impact damage resulting in degraded aircraft evacua
More accidents in WA
- Dehavilland DHC-3, Sep 4, 2022
- Cessna 208B, Oct 8, 2007
- Cessna 172P, Dec 7, 1991
- Piper PA-32-260, Jul 29, 2001
- Beech A60, Nov 21, 1992
Browse: Washington · De Havilland aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
