Amateur-built DHC2-MK I accident near Warroad, Minnesota, June 20, 1988
On June 20, 1988, a amateur-built DHC2-MK I, registered N49771, was substantially damaged in an accident near Warroad, Minnesota (Warroad Seaplane Base airport). It was a flight of an unrecorded kind under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 2 people had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. 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
- June 20, 1988
- Place
- Warroad, Minnesota · Warroad Seaplane Base · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built DHC2-MK I
- Registration
- N49771 · no longer on the register · serial 1079
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight of an unrecorded kind · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT DECIDED TO LAND IN THE LAKE APPROXIMATELY 1000 YDS FROM THE SEA PLANE BASE AND WAS ATTEMPTING A STEP-TAXI BACK TO THE BASE WHEN THE ACFT STRUCK A SAND BAR. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS TAXIING NEAR TALL GRASS WHERE HE THOUGHT THE WATER WAS DEEP ENOUGH TO TAXI ON, WHEN THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE SAND BAR. THE PILOT DID NOT NOTICE THE SAND BAR PRIOR TO BEGINNING HIS TAXI. AFTER THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE SAND BAR IT NOSED OVER TO AN INVERTED ATTITUDE IN THE WATER.
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; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,771 hours in all; 42 in this make and model; 110 in the last 90 days; 2,552 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,183 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 12, 1988; 75 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 5,100 lb
- Seats: 8
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W R-985 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Oak Island MN
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 | 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.