De Havilland BEAVER DHC 2 N203KL

Summary

On 1 June 2018 at about 19:00 local time, a De Havilland BEAVER DHC 2 registered N203KL, operated by RDM Pilot/Guide Ltd, was involved in an accident near Ketchikan, Alaska, United States. 7 people were on board and 6 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

1 June 2018 at 19:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Ketchikan, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

55.2169, -132.2336

Aircraft

De Havilland BEAVER DHC 2

Registration

N203KL

Category

Airplane

Year built

1961

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

GAA18CA321

6 people had minor injuries.

The pilot’s failure to maintain pitch and directional control during a water landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during approach to the ocean bay, the float-equipped airplane encountered very light turbulence. The touchdown was normal, but seconds later he "felt" a strong wind on the airplane's tail from the left that lifted the tail. The front of the right float submerged, and he immediately "pulled back and left" on the controls with no response. Subsequently, the right float struts collapsed, and the right wing impacted the water, the airplane spun about 90° to 120° to the right, the left wing impacted the water, and the airplane came to rest upright on the floats. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation system about 20 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 160° at 9 knots. The pilot landed to the south.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.