Amateur-built BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1 accident near Kapowsin, Washington, September 17, 1989
On September 17, 1989 at about 6:23 pm local time, a amateur-built BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1, registered N5163G, was substantially damaged in an accident near Kapowsin, Washington (Kapowsin airport). It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries; 6 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
AN UNDETERMINED LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 17, 1989 · about 6:23 pm local time
- Place
- Kapowsin, Washington · Kapowsin
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries; 6 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built BEAVER DHC-2 MK.1 BEAVER DHC
- Registration
- N5163G · registry record · serial 329
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER ALL SYSTEM AND ENGINE GAGES INDICATED NORMAL OPERATION, AT 200 FEET AGL, THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT SWITCHED FUEL TANKS AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE RAN FOR TEN SECONDS THEN QUIT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE WHERE DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. POST CRASH INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE DID NOT REVEAL A MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 750 hours in all; 160 in this make and model; 17 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 750 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection; 85 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 5,100 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W R-985 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Kapowsin Air Sports
The flight
- Departed from: 86WA Kapowsin WA at 6:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34, 2,500 ft by 24 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 1,000 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Observation at 6:55 pm from TCM, 13 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 | 1 | 5 |
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.