Dehavilland DHC-2-L-20 accident near Coffman Cove, Alaska, July 9, 2021
On July 9, 2021 at about 2:40 pm local time, a 1952 Dehavilland DHC-2-L-20, registered N9279Z, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Coffman Cove, Alaska (Coffman Cove airport). It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s impact with a buoy on takeoff which resulted in a nose-over.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 9, 2021 · about 2:40 pm local time
- Place
- Coffman Cove, Alaska · Coffman Cove · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Dehavilland DHC-2-L-20, built 1952 · all DHC-2-L-20s on the register
- Registration
- N9279Z · registry record · serial 345
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that while accelerating on the water for takeoff, he impacted a green channel buoy and nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing, left lift strut and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation, and that the accident may have been prevented if he had taxied clear of the obstructions before initiating his takeoff.
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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Sign/marker › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; multi-engine sea; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 15,526 hours in all; 7,962 in this make and model; 98 in the last 90 days; 48 in the last 30 days; 15,386 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 12, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Seats: 8
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W R-985 SERIES (piston); 10,578 hours total
- Operator: Southeast Aviation
The flight
- Destination: Ketchikan AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway N/S, 5,000 ft by 2,000 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 2,000 ft
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 am from PAKW, 27 miles away
Weather report (METAR): PAKW 091453Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM OVC020 13/12 A3012 RMK AO2 RAE13 SLP198 P0001 60004 T01280117 53005 TSNO
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on November 12, 2021. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 18 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photo | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.