DEHAVILLAND DHC-2
Ketchikan, AK — March 22, 2017
Event Information
| Date | March 22, 2017 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA17CA200 |
| Event ID | 20170323X35223 |
| Location | Ketchikan, AK |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 55.34444, -131.66333 |
| Airport | KETCHIKAN HARBOR |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | DEHAVILLAND |
| Model | DHC-2 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 135 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 3 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The floatplane pilot's failure to avoid a buoy during takeoff.
Full 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.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.