2019 Alaska mid-air collision

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]

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]

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]

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

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]