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June 25, 2015 · Dehavilland DHC-3 · N270PA

Ketchikan, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 25, 2015
Injury Outcomes
9 injuries (9 fatalities)
Location
Ketchikan, AK
Aircraft
Dehavilland DHC-3 (1958)
Tail Number
N270PA
Operator
Promech Air
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC15MA041

The Safety Board's full report is available at http://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Pages/aviation.aspx. The Aircraft Accident Report number is NTSB/AAR-17/02. On June 25, 2015, about 1215 Alaska daylight time, a single-engine, turbine-powered, float-equipped de Havilland DHC-3 (Otter) airplane, N270PA, collided with mountainous, tree-covered terrain about 24 miles east-northeast of Ketchikan, Alaska. The commercial pilot and eight passengers sustained fatal injuries, and the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was owned by Pantechnicon Aviation, of Minden, Nevada, and operated by Promech Air, Inc., of Ketchikan. The flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 as an on-demand sightseeing flight; a company visual flight rules flight plan (by which the company performed its own flight-following) was in effect. Marginal visual flight rules conditions were reported in the area at the time of the accident. The flight departed about 1207 from Rudyerd Bay about 44 miles east-northeast of Ketchikan and was en route to the operator's base at the Ketchikan Harbor Seaplane Base, Ketchikan.

NTSB Probable Cause

(1) the pilot's decision to continue visual flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his geographic disorientation and controlled flight into terrain; and (2) Promech's company culture, which tacitly endorsed flying in hazardous weather and failed to manage the risks associated with the competitive pressures affecting Ketchikan-area air tour operators; its lack of a formal safety program; and its inadequate operational control of flight releases.

Full Narrative

The Safety Board's full report is available at http://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Pages/aviation.aspx. The Aircraft Accident Report number is NTSB/AAR-17/02. On June 25, 2015, about 1215 Alaska daylight time, a single-engine, turbine-powered, float-equipped de Havilland DHC-3 (Otter) airplane, N270PA, collided with mountainous, tree-covered terrain about 24 miles east-northeast of Ketchikan, Alaska. The commercial pilot and eight passengers sustained fatal injuries, and the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was owned by Pantechnicon Aviation, of Minden, Nevada, and operated by Promech Air, Inc., of Ketchikan. The flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 as an on-demand sightseeing flight; a company visual flight rules flight plan (by which the company performed its own flight-following) was in effect. Marginal visual flight rules conditions were reported in the area at the time of the accident. The flight departed about 1207 from Rudyerd Bay about 44 miles east-northeast of Ketchikan and was en route to the operator's base at the Ketchikan Harbor Seaplane Base, Ketchikan.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:15 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDehavilland DHC-3
Tail NumberN270PA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPromech Air
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsTurboprop

People & Injuries

Injury Summary9 injuries (9 fatalities)
Fatal9
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total9
Crew 1Age 64 · Second Class · Fatal

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 15 kt, gusting 23 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 57
Altimeter29.90 inHg
Observation Time19:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data