# NTSB GAA17CA200: Dehavilland DHC-2, N264P, Ketchikan, AK, March 22, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 22, 2017, 07:35 local (15:35 UTC) - Place: Ketchikan, AK - Coordinates: 55.344444, -131.66333 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.3444&lon=-131.6633&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 7, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 94905 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA200 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94905/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94905 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA200 ## Probable cause The floatplane pilot's failure to avoid a buoy during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that, before the takeoff, he taxied "out a little farther than normal" due to another airplane taxiing in the waterway. He added that, as he advanced the throttle, his forward view changed as the airplane came onto step position and that he subsequently saw a buoy in the takeoff path. The pilot immediately aborted the takeoff, but the right wing impacted the buoy. The pilot taxied back to the dock without further incident. The right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that before the takeoff he taxied "out a little farther than normal" due to another airplane taxiing in the waterway. He added that as he advanced the throttle, his forward view changed as the airplane came onto step position and he subsequently observed a buoy in the takeoff path. The pilot immediately aborted the takeoff, but the right wing impacted the buoy. The pilot taxied back to the dock without further incident. The right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: N264P (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: DEHAVILLAND DHC-2 (MK1) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 464 - Year built: 1952 - Airframe hours: 32717 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R985AN14B 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Pacific Airways - Registered owner: Radial Power Enterprises LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 2017 - Departed: 5KE, Ketchikan, AK - Destination: HYL, HOLLIS, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: 5KE, Ketchikan Harbor, runway W, 3,893 × 1,000 ft, water - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 22, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,749 total, 994 in this make and model, 1,700 as pilot in command, 109 in the last 90 days, 53 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft broken - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.45 inHg - Observed at: PAKT ## 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 20170322005709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170322005709A), Mar 22, 2017: Dehavilland DHC-2 MK. I(L20A), Ketchikan, AK, Substantial damage. Description: N264P a 1952 de havilland DHC-2 mk. I beaver floatplane (L20A sn#464), owned by radial power enterprises LLC and operated by pacific airways inc… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 8, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94905. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 711 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452692&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 345 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451896&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.