Accident Details
On October 22, 2021, at about 0842 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 208B airplane, registration N754KP, sustained substantial damage during an accident at Juneau International Airport, Juneau, Alaska. The aircraft was operated by Kalinin Aviation, doing business as Alaska Seaplanes, as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 scheduled passenger flight. The pilot and five passengers were not injured.
Flight Sequence
The pilot reported completing a preflight inspection and taxiing the airplane to the active runway for departure, including both left and right turns. The before-takeoff checklist was completed, which included a flight control check. The airplane was cleared for takeoff on runway 8 from the taxiway C intersection. Upon reaching the runway, the pilot increased engine power and the airplane began accelerating down the centerline.
Approaching rotational speed, the airplane veered abruptly to the right. The pilot applied left rudder to correct the veer, but the control travel felt limited, and the airplane continued right toward a float pond parallel to the runway. Believing that the distance to the pond was insufficient to safely stop, the pilot continued the takeoff. Once airborne, she maneuvered the airplane back toward the runway for an emergency landing. She pulled the manual firewall fuel shutoff valve and moved the master switch to OFF after determining that a safe landing could be made. During landing, the right main landing gear and nose wheel collapsed, and both wings sustained substantial damage.
A passenger in the right front seat reported that his seat was moved aft and his feet were on the floor near the control pedestal, with his knees pointed toward the passenger door to avoid inadvertent interference with flight controls.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the nosewheel steering, brake, and flight control systems found no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.