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Amphibious Floatplane Drifts into Piling After Engine Shutdown During Taxi (N335AK)

Tenakee Springs, AK, US

On September 4, 2002, a DE Havilland DHC-3 (registration N335AK) operated by Alaska Juneau Aeronautics Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Tenakee Springs, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's misjudgment of the airplane's speed/distance from a dock resulting in the airplane drifting into a wooden piling during a taxi from landing. A factor in the accident was the presence of a tidal current. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A commercial pilot shut off the engine of an amphibious floatplane while taxiing to a dock after landing. A tidal current carried the aircraft beyond the intended docking area, causing it to drift backward into a wooden piling. The left aileron sustained damage requiring repair.

Incident Overview

A commercial certificated pilot was taxiing an amphibious float-equipped airplane toward a seaplane dock after landing. The flight was conducted as a scheduled air taxi operation. As the airplane approached the dock, the pilot shut off the engine.

Sequence of Events

Following engine shutdown, a tidal current carried the airplane beyond the intended docking area. The aircraft subsequently drifted backward and made contact with a wooden piling.

Damage and Repairs

The operator reported that the left aileron was removed for repair. A 37-inch portion of the aileron trailing edge was replaced as a result of the damage sustained in the collision with the piling.

Aircraft and Operational Context

No other details about the aircraft, such as make, model, registration, or engine count, were provided in the source. The time of day, weather conditions, location, and any involvement of air traffic control were not specified. No injuries or fatalities were reported.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 4 Sept 2002 DE Havilland DHC-3 accident near Tenakee Springs, AK?

A commercial pilot shut off the engine of an amphibious floatplane while taxiing to a dock after landing. A tidal current carried the aircraft beyond the intended docking area, causing it to drift backward into a wooden piling. The left aileron sustained damage requiring repair.

Were there any fatalities in the 4 Sept 2002 DE Havilland DHC-3 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 4 Sept 2002 involved a DE Havilland DHC-3, registration N335AK, operated by Alaska Juneau Aeronautics Inc., at Tenakee Springs, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's misjudgment of the airplane's speed/distance from a dock resulting in the airplane drifting into a wooden piling during a taxi from landing. A factor in the accident was the presence of a tidal current.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20020910X01584. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.