Dehavilland DHC-3 accident near Dry Tortugas, Florida, April 11, 2026
On April 11, 2026 at about 8:45 am local time, a 1954 Dehavilland DHC-3, registered N708KA, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Dry Tortugas, Florida. It was a business flight under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 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 NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 11, 2026 · about 8:45 am local time · cases in 2026
- Place
- Dry Tortugas, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Dehavilland DHC-3 NO SERIES, built 1954 · all DHC-3s on the register
- Registration
- N708KA · registry record · serial 59
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On April 11, 2026, about 0845 eastern daylight time, an amphibious DeHavilland DHC-3, N708KA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Dry Tortugas, Florida. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 repositioning flight. The pilot reported that he taxied the airplane away from the beach and completed the pre-takeoff checklist for water operations. After aligning the airplane into the wind, he initiated the water run for takeoff. At 70 mph, he applied aft yoke pressure, but the airplane did not liftoff. He then felt resistance on the right side and the airplane began to yaw to the right. The airplane subsequently pitched abruptly forward and nosed over into the water, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. A postaccident examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector established flight control continuity from the cockpit to all primary and secondary flight controls. The elevator trim was found in the full nose-down position. The examination revealed no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Preflight or dispatch event during prior to flight
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
- Nose over/nose down during takeoff
- Abnormal runway contact during takeoff
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 21,832 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, February 28, 2026; 65 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 8,367 lb
- Seats: 11
- Landing gear: retractable
The flight
- Destination: EYW Key West FL
- Flight plan: VFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 060° at 15 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observation at 8:45 am from EYW, 61 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KEYW 111253Z AUTO 06015G24KT 10SM CLR 24/18 A3017 RMK AO2 SLP221 T02440178 TSNO
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N708KA on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Dehavilland DHC-3 67 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Dehavilland 861 aircraft on the register
- Key West International · bound for
- Accidents and incidents in Florida 6,111 since 1982 · 985 in the last ten years
- Florida 21,699 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/ERA26LA172.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.