2019 Alaska mid-air collision

On May 13, 2019, a de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver floatplane operated by Mountain Air Service collided with a Taquan Air de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Turbine Otter floatplane over George Inlet, Alaska, United States.[1] The DHC-2 broke up in mid-air with the loss of the single pilot and all 4 passengers. The DHC-3 pilot was able to maintain partial control, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage in the collision and the subsequent forced landing; the pilot suffered minor injuries, 9 passengers suffered serious injuries, and 1 passenger was killed. Both aircraft were conducting sightseeing flights. The cause of the accident is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).[1]

2019 Alaska mid-air collision

Accident
Date	May 13, 2019 (2019-05-13)
Summary	Mid-air collision; under investigation
Site	George Inlet, Alaska, United States 55°25′32″N 131°30′18″W
Total fatalities	6
Total injuries	10
Total survivors	10
First aircraft
N952DB, the DHC-2 Beaver involved
Type	de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver
Operator	Mountain Air Service
Registration	N952DB
Flight origin	Ketchikan Harbor Seaplane Base
Destination	Ketchikan Harbor Seaplane Base
Occupants	5
Passengers	4
Crew	1
Fatalities	5
Survivors	0
Second aircraft
De Havilland Canada DHC-3 Turbine Otter floatplane similar to the accident aircraft
Type	de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Turbine Otter
Operator	Taquan Air
Call sign	Taquan
Registration	N959PA
Flight origin	Ketchikan Harbor Seaplane Base
Destination	Ketchikan Harbor Seaplane Base
Occupants	11
Passengers	10
Crew	1
Fatalities	1
Injuries	10
Survivors	10

Aircraft

Ketchikan Harbor Seaplane Base seen in 2017; DHC-2s similar to N952DB are at left, DHC-3s similar to N959PA are at far right

The first accident aircraft was a de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver floatplane, FAA aircraft registration number N952DB, serial number 237, owned and operated by Mountain Air Service LLC. The second accident aircraft was a de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Turbine Otter floatplane, FAA number N959PA, serial number 159, owned by Pantechnicon Aviation Ltd. and operated by Taquan Air.[1][2][3] Both aircraft were conducting local sightseeing flights of the Misty Fiords National Monument area for the benefit of passengers of a Princess Cruises cruise ship docked in Ketchikan, Alaska[4] and were operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 135 as on-demand sightseeing flights. Neither aircraft carried, or was required to carry, a cockpit voice recorder or flight data recorder.[1]

Crash

Both aircraft were returning to Ketchikan Harbor Seaplane Base approximately 7 mi (11 km) southwest. The DHC-2 was flying at 107 knots (198 km/h) at an altitude of about 3,350 feet (1,020 m) mean sea level (MSL) while the DHC-3 was gradually descending at 126 knots (233 km/h) from an altitude of 3,700 feet (1,100 m) MSL. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The DHC-3 was equipped with an Automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast (ADS-B) collision warning system, but the pilot did not perceive any ADS-B collision warnings before he saw a "flash" to his left, and the two aircraft collided at 12:21 PM local time at an altitude of about 3,350 feet (1,020 m) MSL.[1]

The DHC-3 pitched about 40 degrees nose down, but pilot was able to maintain partial control and perform a landing flare before touching down in George Inlet.[1] The floats separated from the aircraft and it began to sink; the pilot and 9 passengers were able to evacuate to shore with the help of bystanders, but 1 passenger was trapped in the wreck.[5] The DHC-3 came to rest under about 80 ft (24 m) of water.[1]

The DHC-2 broke up in mid-air, creating an approximately 2,000 ft by 1,000 ft (610 m by 305 m) debris field about 1.75 mi (2.82 km) southwest of the DHC-3 crash site. The DHC-2 fuselage, empennage, and cabin structure were separated from one another, and the right wing showed damage consistent with propeller impacts.[1]

Passengers and crew

The DHC-3 airline transport pilot sustained minor injuries, 9 passengers sustained serious injuries, and 1 passenger sustained fatal injuries; the DHC-2 pilot and 4 passengers suffered fatal injuries.[1] 6 injured victims were admitted to a local hospital and 4 others were evacuated to Seattle. 2 bodies were not recovered until the following day.[4]

Investigation

The NTSB immediately began an investigation of the accident.[1][4]

Aftermath

The deceased DHC-2 pilot was also co-owner of Mountain Air Service and the company canceled all operations after the crash.[6] Taquan Air Flight 20 crashed one week later on 20 May and the airline suspended all flights the following day.[7][8] Amid increased oversight by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Taquan resumed limited cargo service on 23 May,[9] scheduled passenger flights on 31 May, and on-demand sightseeing tours on June 3.[10]

References

1. Aviation Accident Preliminary Report CEN19MA141B (Report). National Transportation Safety Board. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
2. Federal Aviation Administration (May 22, 2019). "N-Number Inquiry Results N952DB". Retrieved May 22, 2019.
3. Federal Aviation Administration (May 22, 2019). "N-Number Inquiry Results N959PA". Retrieved May 22, 2019.
4. Stack, Liam; Zaveri, Mihir; Victor, Daniel (May 14, 2019). "2 More Bodies Found After Alaska Plane Collision, Bringing Death Toll to 6". The New York Times. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
5. Hollander, Zaz (May 22, 2019). "NTSB: Pilot saw 'flash from left' before midair collision near Ketchikan that killed 6". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
6. Hollander, Zaz; DeMarban, Alex (May 17, 2019). "Company involved in midair collision near Ketchikan suspends cruise-line air tours". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
7. Stack, Liam (May 21, 2019). "Airline Involved in 2 Deadly Alaska Crashes Suspends Operations, Officials Say". The New York Times. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
8. Hohenstatt, Ben (May 21, 2019). "UPDATE: Passenger, pilot in fatal crash near Metlakatla are ID'd". Juneau Empire. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
9. DeMarban, Alex (May 29, 2019). "After 2 recent fatal crashes, Taquan Air is expected to resume passenger service Wednesday". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
10. Tobin, Rebecca (June 7, 2019). "Taquan Air resumes operations". travelweekly.com/. Travel Weekly. Retrieved June 9, 2019.