Amateur-built DHC-2 accident near Anchorage, Alaska, May 21, 1988
On May 21, 1988 at about 5:21 am local time, a amateur-built DHC-2, registered N1435Z, was destroyed in an accident near Anchorage, Alaska (Lake Hood Seaplane airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 21, 1988 · about 5:21 am local time
- Place
- Anchorage, Alaska · Lake Hood Seaplane · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built DHC-2
- Registration
- N1435Z · no longer on the register · serial 1252
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE AIRPLANE HAD UNDERGONE EXTENSIVE MAINTENANCE WHICH INCLUDED WORK ON THE CONTROL COLUMN. THE UPPER HALF OF THE CONTROL COLUMN WAS REPLACED WITH A THROW-OVER YOKE AND THE AILERON SYSTEM WAS RERIGGED. THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND PICKED UP THE AIRPLANE AFTER IT WAS TIED DOWN OUTSIDE FOR THREE MONTHS. ACCORDING TO A WITNESS, THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF THE WATER AND STARTED A LEFT BANK WHICH INCREASED UNTIL THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE GROUND. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THE CONTROL CABLES AT THE BASE OF THE CONTROL COLUMN OPERATED IN REVERSE OF THE DESCRIPTION IN THE MAINTENANCE MANUAL. COMPLETE CONTROL CONTINUITY COULD NOT BE CONCLUDED BECAUSE OF THE EXTENSIVE POST IMPACT FIRE WHICH DESTROYED THE OVERHEAD BELLCRANK, PULLEY, AND INTERCONNECT SYSTEM.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 3,000 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 12,737 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 19, 1988
- Maximum gross weight: 5,100 lb
- Seats: 8
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W R-985-39 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: LHD Anchorage AK
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 4,540 ft by 188 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:52 pm from ANC, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.