De Havilland DHC-2 accident near Ketchikan, AK
On December 12, 1996, a De Havilland DHC-2 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Ketchikan, AK. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- December 12, 1996
- Place
- Ketchikan, AK
- Aircraft
- De Havilland DHC-2 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 1 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 55.610°N, 131.579°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X07125
NTSB summary
On December 12, 1996, at 0905 Alaska standard time, a float equipped DHC-2 Beaver airplane, N67694, registered to and operated by Taquan Air Service of Ketchikan, Alaska, crashed during takeoff from the water near Port Johnson, Alaska, located about 18 miles southwest of Ketchikan. The on demand air taxi flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 135, was departing the location of the accident and the destination was Ketchikan. A company visual flight rules flight plan was in effect and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The certificated airline transport pilot was fatally injured and the passenger received minor injuries. The airplane sank in 400 feet of water. According to the company, the passenger stated they had just taken off. They were in the initial climb phase when the right wing started to dip and the nose started to drop. The pilot had the control yoke turned all the way to the left and applied full power. He then yelled that they were going in. The airplane crashed into the water and the passenger exited the airplane through the windshield. He did not see the pilot. During a telephone interview with the passenger, he stated that there was very little wind or wave action in the takeoff area. The takeoff area is protected by trees and the shoreline. After takeoff, as the pilot flew the airplane and exited the bay from which they took off, the passenger heard the pilot say, "here comes a gust." The passenger stated he could see the ripples on the water as a gust of wind struck the airplane. The engine power increased and the airplane began to descend. Then the ri
Probable cause
the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and collision with terrain (water). A factor associated with the accident was the gusty wind condition.
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Browse: Alaska · 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.
