De Havilland DHC-2 N930TG

Summary

On 18 June 2017 at about 21:30 local time, a De Havilland DHC-2 registered N930TG, operated by RDM Pilot/Guide Ltd., was involved in an accident near Ketchikan, Alaska, United States. 7 people were on board and 7 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

18 June 2017 at 21:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Ketchikan, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

55.5319, -130.5911

Aircraft

De Havilland DHC-2

Registration

N930TG

Category

Airplane

Year built

1956

Engines

1

Operator

RDM Pilot/Guide Ltd.

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Ketchikan → Ketchikan

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC17LA032

7 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's misjudgment of the takeoff distance needed to depart the lake, and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from the water during a turn to avoid terrain, which resulted in impact with water.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot landed the float-equipped airplane at a remote mountain lake as part of a sightseeing tour flight. During the subsequent takeoff, the pilot realized that the airplane was not going to clear trees in the intended direction of departure. The pilot decided to lower the nose and turn 180° to remain over the lake while continuing to climb; however, during the turn, the airplane impacted the water and began to sink. All of the occupants egressed and swam to shore. The operator reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. Another airplane of the same make and model as the accident airplane successfully departed the lake shortly after the accident. Given the lack of mechanical malfunctions with the accident airplane and the fact that the other airplane performed a successful takeoff, it is likely that the accident pilot misjudged the required departure distance and altitude needed to safely depart the lake, then failed to maintain sufficient clearance from the water during the turn to avoid terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.