# NTSB ERA26LA172: Dehavilland DHC-3, N708KA, Dry Tortugas, FL, April 11, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report
- Date: April 11, 2026, 08:45 UTC
- Place: Dry Tortugas, FL
- Coordinates: 24.621167, -82.868667
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.6212&lon=-82.8687&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Investigation ongoing
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 202823
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA172
- NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202823/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA172

## Preliminary report

On April 11, 2026, about 0845 eastern daylight time, an amphibious DeHavilland DHC-3, N708KA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Dry Tortugas, Florida. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 repositioning flight. The pilot reported that he taxied the airplane away from the beach and completed the pre-takeoff checklist for water operations. After aligning the airplane into the wind, he initiated the water run for takeoff. At 70 mph, he applied aft yoke pressure, but the airplane did not liftoff. He then felt resistance on the right side and the airplane began to yaw to the right. The airplane subsequently pitched abruptly forward and nosed over into the water, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. A postaccident examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector established flight control continuity from the cockpit to all primary and secondary flight controls. The elevator trim was found in the full nose-down position. The examination revealed no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-3, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=2802412), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-3, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2802412), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2802412), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Dehavilland DHC-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2802412), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N708KA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N708KA), registered now, S/N 59, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DEHAVILLAND DHC-3 (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Dehavilland DHC-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-dhc-3) (registry code 2802412) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 59
- Year built: 1954
- Airframe hours: 21832
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 135
- Operator: Key West Seaplane Adventures
- Registered owner: Single Otter Leasing Two LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Commuter
- Last inspection: AAIP, February 28, 2026, 65 hours before
- Destination: EYW, Key West, FL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, ADS-B, Satellite tracking device, Stall warning system

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 15 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observed at: EYW, 61 nm away
- METAR: METAR KEYW 111253Z AUTO 06015G24KT 10SM CLR 24/18 A3017 RMK AO2 SLP221 T02440178 TSNO

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20260411004119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260411004119A), Apr 11, 2026: Dehavilland DHC-3, Key West, FL, Substantial damage. Seaplane failed to takeoff at dry tortugas national park. The right float submerged during take off attempt and aircraft rolled right nose down into the water.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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