Accident Summary
On September 9, 2016, about 1130 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped de Havilland DHC-2 (Beaver) airplane, N91AK, sustained substantial damage during a collision with water following a loss of control shortly after takeoff from Uganik Lake, about 35 miles west-southwest of Kodiak, Alaska. The airplane was registered to Redemption, Inc., and operated as Flight 43 by Island Air, as a visual flight rules (VFR) scheduled commuter flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. The airline transport pilot and two passengers all sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company flight following procedures were in effect. Flight 43 originated in Kodiak about 1100, with a preplanned intermediate stop at Uganik Lake before continuing to Amook Bay and Zachar Bay.
According to the operator's director of maintenance, the purpose of the stop at Uganik Lake was to drop off a maintenance technician. Another company-owned Cessna 185 had landed at the lake earlier and damaged a float, and the technician was called to inspect the float before its return to Kodiak. After landing, the accident pilot met the crew of the Cessna 185 on the western shore, dropped off the technician, and then departed for Amook Bay.
Witness Accounts
Witnesses reported seeing the accident airplane back-taxi to the east before turning around to start the takeoff run to the west, toward an area of rising, tree-covered terrain. They consistently reported that after becoming airborne, the airplane began a left turn to avoid the rising terrain. As it flew closer, the left turn steepened, and the airplane began a steep nose-down descent. It subsequently struck the shallow waters on the western end of Uganik Lake and came to rest partially submerged. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. Witnesses estimated gusty west winds between 15 to 25 knots.
Pilot and Passenger Statements
Due to injuries, the pilot did not recall the accident sequence but remembered back-taxiing to the east for a westerly departure. He recalled variable wind conditions, estimated at 15 knots with increasing gusts to 25 knots from the west. He stated that to the best of his knowledge there were no preimpact mechanical anomalies.
One of the two passengers reported sitting in the right front seat, with his wife seated behind the pilot on the left side. He noted water conditions of 8 to 12 inches of chop during the westerly takeoff run. Just after takeoff, the airplane climbed slower than on previous flights. As it continued to climb, he saw rising terrain ahead. The pilot then turned very steeply to the left, and the airplane nosed down abruptly, beginning an uncontrolled descent into the shallow water.
Additional Information
At the time of the accident, the pilot was using a Garmin GPSMAP 496 portable GPS receiver capable of storing route-of-flight data. The GPS data logs for September 9, 2016 supported the accounts of the pilot, passengers, and witnesses. A flight track map overlay and tabular data corresponding to the accident flight are available in the public docket for this accident.