De Havilland BEAVER DHC-2 N82SF

Summary

On 13 March 2012 at about 18:40 local time, a De Havilland BEAVER DHC-2 registered N82SF, operated by Southeast Aviation, LLC, was involved in an accident near Ketchikan, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

13 March 2012 at 18:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Ketchikan, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

55.0556, -132.1033

Aircraft

De Havilland BEAVER DHC-2

Registration

N82SF

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Southeast Aviation, LLC

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Ketchikan → Ketchikan

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC12LA026

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's decision to depart in marginal visual meteorological conditions, and his continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot departed from an off-airport site in marginal visual flight rules conditions. Shortly after departure, the weather worsened, and flight visibility dropped to near zero in heavy snow. He attempted to follow the shoreline at a low altitude but was unable to maintain visual contact with the ground. He stated that he saw trees immediately in front of the airplane and attempted a right turn toward what he thought was an open bay. During the turn, the right float contacted a rock outcrop, and the airplane impacted the water. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.