De Havilland DHC-2 MK I accident near Stehekin, WA
On May 17, 2008, a De Havilland DHC-2 MK I (airplane) was involved in an accident near Stehekin, WA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- May 17, 2008
- Place
- Stehekin, WA
- Aircraft
- De Havilland DHC-2 MK I · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 3 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 48.306°N, 120.660°W
- NTSB ID
- 20080523X00720
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On May 17, 2008, about 1645 Pacific daylight time, a de Havilland DHC-2 MK I amphibious airplane, N9558Q, nosed over following a wheels down landing on the waters of Lake Chelan, near Stehekin, Washington. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airline transport pilot and two passengers received minor injuries, and the other two passengers were killed. The airplane was registered to, and being operated by, Lake Chelan Air Service, Inc., doing business as Chelan Airways. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the on demand air taxi flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. A company flight plan was filed for the flight that departed Lake Chelan Airport about 1615, with an intended destination of Stehekin. The pilot reported that he performed a quick preflight and loaded the passenger's bags into the baggage compartment. He gave the passengers a safety briefing before boarding. The passengers had flown numerous times in the airplane with him, so he gave a "briefer briefing" than normal. He taxied out to runway 20. He performed an engine run-up, set flaps and trim for takeoff, and announced on the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) that he was departing on runway 20. After a normal takeoff, he reduced throttle to 30 inches of manifold pressure (MAP), reduced the propeller to 2,000 rpm and raised the flaps. He does not remember raising the landing gear. He continued down river before turning west instead of going through a cut in the hills that he routinely uses as he was concerned the air would be bumpy in the cut.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to retract the landing gear wheels prior to performing a water landing. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's disabling of the landing gear warning/advisory system and possible fatigue due to his work schedule.
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.
