Aviation Accident Summary ANC12CA041

Talkeetna, AK, USA

Aircraft #1

N323KT

DEHAVILLAND DHC-2 MK. I(L20A)

Analysis

The pilot landed at a base camp on a glacier. To prevent the airplane from sliding, he raised the wheel skis and set the parking brake. Upon departure, he lowered the skis but forgot to release the parking brake. Upon touchdown on a hard surfaced runway, the airplane came to an abrupt stop and nosed down, then settled back on the tailwheel. The horizontal stabilizer sustained substantial damage. The pilot indicated there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. He said the accident could have been prevented if he had ensured that the parking brake was not set on the glacier, which would have prevented an abrupt stop when he later landed on wheels.

Factual Information

The pilot landed at a base camp on a glacier. To prevent the airplane from sliding, he raised the wheel skis and set the parking brake. He lowered the skis and departed the glacier, forgetting to release the parking brake. Upon touchdown on a hard surfaced runway, the airplane came to an abrupt stop and nosed down, then settled back on the tailwheel. The horizontal stabilizer sustained substantial damage. The pilot indicated there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot inadvertently landed with the parking brake set.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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