Dehavilland DHC-2 accident near Ketchikan, Alaska, June 18, 2017
On June 18, 2017 at about 9:30 pm local time, a 1956 Dehavilland DHC-2, registered N930TG, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff (rejected takeoff) near Ketchikan, Alaska. It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 7 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's misjudgment of the takeoff distance needed to depart the lake, and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from the water during a turn to avoid terrain, which resulted in impact with water.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 18, 2017 · about 9:30 pm local time
- Place
- Ketchikan, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 7 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Dehavilland DHC-2, built 1956 · all DHC-2s on the register
- Registration
- N930TG · no longer on the register · serial 1041
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot landed the float-equipped airplane at a remote mountain lake as part of a sightseeing tour flight. During the subsequent takeoff, the pilot realized that the airplane was not going to clear trees in the intended direction of departure. The pilot decided to lower the nose and turn 180° to remain over the lake while continuing to climb; however, during the turn, the airplane impacted the water and began to sink. All of the occupants egressed and swam to shore. The operator reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. Another airplane of the same make and model as the accident airplane successfully departed the lake shortly after the accident. Given the lack of mechanical malfunctions with the accident airplane and the fact that the other airplane performed a successful takeoff, it is likely that the accident pilot misjudged the required departure distance and altitude needed to safely depart the lake, then failed to maintain sufficient clearance from the water during the turn to avoid terrain.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Attempted remediation/recovery during takeoff
- Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff (rejected takeoff) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Climb rate › Not attained/maintained
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- factor Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,000 hours in all; 1,000 in this make and model; 25 in the last 90 days; 1,400 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 27, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 21,240 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, June 13, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 5,090 lb
- Seats: 8
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-985-14B (piston); 12,087 hours total
- Operator: Rdm Pilot/Guide Ltd.
The flight
- Departed from: 5KE Ketchikan AK
- Destination: Ketchikan AK
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from PAKT, 40 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 6 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N930TG the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.