photo |
|
Serial Number |
409 |
Registration |
N409PA |
Model |
DHC-3 |
Year of Manufacture |
1960 |
Engine |
Turbo-Prop - PT6A |
Location |
|
|
|
Owner |
Pantechnicon Aviation Inc |
Address |
|
Contact / Link |
|
Notes NTSB
Report |
See
also 159 NTSB Identification: ANC02LA098B. The docket is stored on
NTSB microfiche number DMS. Two airplanes operated
by the same company, a float-equipped deHavilland DHC-2 Beaver, and a
float-equipped deHavilland DHC-3 Turbine Otter, collided in midair as they
were en route to the same remote destination. The Beaver sustained minor
damage to the floats, and the Turbine Otter sustained substantial damage to
the top portion of the wings, the fuselage, and vertical stabilizer. The
collision occurred over an area of coastal channels and fjords. The pilot of
the Beaver stated that his airplane was the first of three company airplanes
to depart. Once airborne, and clear of the class E airspace, he changed radio
frequencies to monitor a common traffic advisory frequency. He said that
about 15 minutes after departure, while in level cruise flight, about 2,000
feet above the water, he felt a sudden thump, followed by a pronounced
airframe shudder. He then observed the top of the left wing of the Turbine
Otter to his left side, just under the floats of his airplane. He said that just
after the two airplanes collided, the Turbine Otter made a left, descending
turn, away from his airplane. He said that after determining that he still
had full flight control, he elected to return to the operator's base of
operation. The pilot of the Turbine Otter said that his airplane was the
second of three airplanes. He said that he departed about 5 minutes after the
Beaver, and proceeded on a northerly heading, while climbing the airplane to
about 2,200 feet. He said that he changed radio frequencies to monitor a
common traffic advisory frequency. He said that about 10 minutes after
departure, he heard one of the passengers seated in the rear of the airplane
yell "airplane." About two seconds later, the pilot heard a loud
scrape on the top portion of the airplane. The pilot said that just after the
impact, he experienced some difficulty in controlling the airplane, but was
soon able to regain partial control, and subsequently made an emergency
landing in the ocean waters in the channel. The pilot of the Turbine Otter
reported that his airplane was about 10 knots faster than the Beaver. |