Accident Overview
A float-equipped airplane, operating as an air taxi, was departing from a remote bay approximately 20 miles north of Ketchikan, Alaska, after returning passengers from a ground tour. The pilot, who reported 17,000 total flight hours with 7,000 hours in the accident make and model, noted that southeasterly winds had increased during the layover. Unlike the calm conditions at landing 2.5 hours earlier, choppy waves were observed in parts of a nearby cove.
Departure and Maneuver
To avoid wind and waves, the pilot elected to take off toward the interior of the bay, in the direction of rising terrain—a direction he had never taken off from before. His initial plan was to execute a shallow right climbing turn toward the bay's mouth, away from the terrain. However, shortly after takeoff, he saw numerous choppy waves concentrated along that proposed flightpath, indicating strong winds. He then changed his plan: instead of turning right, he continued straight temporarily to move away from the waves, then attempted a left 180-degree turn inside the bay, which was surrounded by high terrain. The pilot stated that when the turn was initiated, the airplane was about 400 feet above the water; he did not recall the indicated airspeed. The turn was within the airplane's performance capabilities but placed it closer to rising terrain.
Stall and Weather Conditions
While executing the 180-degree turn, the pilot encountered a downdraft and was unable to climb above the terrain. The airplane stalled approximately 60 feet above the ground. The downdraft likely made it more difficult to avoid descending into the rising terrain. A weather study by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed the presence of a gust front in the area and an abrupt wind change around the time of the accident. Pilots flying nearby also reported low-level windshear, strong winds, and turbulence.
Postaccident Inspection
Postaccident inspections by the Safety Board revealed no mechanical anomalies with the airplane.