The single engine, turbine-powered, amphibious float-equipped airplane sustained substantial damage at about 1445 Alaska time when it impacted mountainous tree-covered terrain. Of the nine people aboard, the airline transport pilot and four passengers died at the scene. Four passengers sustained serious injuries. At the time of the accident, marginal visual conditions were reported at an airport about 18 miles south of the accident site. The flight originated from an operator-owned fishing lodge and was en route to a remote fishing camp. The airplane departed the lodge about 1430. After the airplane was reported overdue, operator personnel and volunteer aircraft initiated an aerial search along the pilots anticipated route. At about 2005, volunteer airborne search personnel located the wreckage along the anticipated flight route, at about 900 feet msl in steep, heavily wooded terrain, about 19 miles southeast of the fishing lodge. At 1455, about 10 minutes after the presumed time of the accident, the closest weather observation reported winds at 12 knots, gusting to 23 knots in three statute miles visibility with light rain and mist, scattered clouds at 600 and an overcast at 1000 feet. The accident airplane was equipped with an Artex ME406 ELT. Examination revealed the ELT had separated from its mounting bracket during impact and its antenna cable was separated.
August 9, 2010, Aleknagik, Alaska,, deHavilland DHC-3 Otter
The single engine, turbine-powered, amphibious float-equipped airplane sustained substantial damage at about 1445 Alaska time when it impacted mountainous tree-covered terrain. Of the nine people aboard, the airline transport pilot and four passengers died at the scene. Four passengers sustained serious injuries. At the time of the accident, marginal visual conditions were reported at an airport about 18 miles south of the accident site.
Key Takeaways:
- An amphibious floatplane crashed into mountainous, tree-covered terrain, resulting in 5 fatalities (the pilot and four passengers) and serious injuries to four additional passengers.
- The accident occurred during a flight from a fishing lodge to a remote camp, with marginal visual conditions, gusty winds, and low visibility reported at the time.
- Wreckage was located approximately 19 miles from the lodge in steep, heavily wooded terrain, and the aircraft's emergency locator transmitter (ELT) had separated and disconnected on impact.
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