Accident Overview
On July 21, 2013, about 1150 Alaska daylight time, N499K, a turbine-powered (Soloy Turbine Pac 780-1000-1 conversion) float-equipped Cessna T207A, collided with an 18.5-foot aluminum fishing boat and nosed over during takeoff in the Naknek River near the King Salmon Airport (PAKN), King Salmon, Alaska. The airplane was registered to Katmai Air Leasing, LLC, and operated by Katmai Air under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and the pilot obtained a special visual flight rules (SVFR) clearance from PAKN tower. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for Brooks Camp in the Katmai National Park and Preserve.
Sequence of Events
According to a passenger, the airplane first taxied downriver before turning around to begin an upriver takeoff. The pilot reported that, after obtaining SVFR clearance and notifying the tower that the flight would "proceed off the river," he began the takeoff going upriver. He checked the area ahead, saw several boats on the right side of the river, and began the takeoff on the left side. After bringing the airplane to the step-taxi position, he backed off the power with the intent to apply full power and take off once past the boats. The pilot stated he never saw the boat that the airplane hit. None of the airplane passengers, including the front-seat passenger, saw the boat. Shore witnesses reported seeing the airplane head straight toward the boat.
The airplane struck the boat and immediately nosed over in the water. The pilot opened the left-side door and exited immediately. The airplane was inverted and sinking. As passengers appeared at the door, the pilot pulled each one out. All passengers evacuated, the airplane sank to its floats, and the passengers and pilot stood on the belly of the airplane until help arrived.
The boat operator said that when he first heard the airplane and turned, it was about 75 yards away and coming straight toward the boat on a path that would collide with the middle of the boat. The boat's motor was idling in neutral as the boat drifted downriver; the operator put it in reverse to try to move out of the path. As he backed away, the airplane struck the front of the boat. The boat operator and his two fishing clients were thrown into the water and began swimming. An estimated 10 to 12 fishing boats were in the area, and several arrived quickly to help.
Damage and Aftermath
Pre-recovery photographs showed the nose of the airplane's left float crushed aft and upward, and an outboard section of the right wing crushed and partially separated. The boat, which was flat, olive-drab with a white outboard motor, was crushed inward, upward, and aft on the front right side. The airplane sustained substantial damage.
Pilot and Boat Operator Statements
The pilot was unsure why he did not see the boat before the collision; he wondered if it may have come from the left into the airplane's path or visually blended with other boats and aircraft parked on docks along the left side of the river. The boat operator noted that it is sometimes difficult to hear airplanes coming from downriver and that it had been foggy earlier that morning, with many airplanes trying to depart. A passenger who arrived on an earlier flight stated that some flights were delayed due to weather and that the boats he saw appeared to be "plain boats."
Environmental and Operational Factors
The PAKN airport manager stated that the accident area was not on airport property and that there are no separate designated areas for seaplane and boat traffic there. The Airport/Facility Directory for the King Salmon seaplane base notes, "Landing area Rwy NW-SE also used by boats." The boat operator said that airplanes take off and land "wherever they want to" and that there is no radio contact between pilots and boat operators.
Weather conditions reported at PAKN (about 1 mile from the accident site) at 1154 included wind from 050 degrees at 6 knots, visibility 10 miles, and ceilings broken at 700 and 1,300 feet.
Applicable Regulations
Title 14 CFR 91.115 specifies right-of-way rules for water operations, requiring aircraft on water to keep clear of all vessels and avoid impeding their navigation. FAA Handbook 8083-23 notes that seaplanes are also subject to U.S. Coast Guard navigation rules, including maintaining a proper lookout and proceeding at a safe speed. The handbook also states that seaplanes often operate in areas with extensive water traffic and that there is no equivalent of an airport traffic pattern to govern boat traffic.