Accident Overview
A charter flight on a local touristic excursion was returning to Ketchikan when the pilot encountered poor weather conditions. In limited visibility attributed to fog, the pilot lost orientation and subsequently lost control of the float-equipped aircraft. The aircraft crashed and burst into flames, resulting in the destruction of the aircraft and serious injuries to all six occupants.
Circumstances
The flight was conducted as a visual flight rules (VFR) operation. While en route back to Ketchikan, the pilot faced adverse weather, including fog that reduced visibility. The pilot became disoriented and entered an uncontrolled descent, leading to a collision with the ground.
Injuries and Damage
All six people aboard sustained serious injuries. The aircraft was destroyed by impact and fire.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause was an uncontrolled descent and uncontrolled collision with ground after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. Contributing factors included the pilot becoming lost/disoriented, spatial disorientation, fog, and visibility down to zero.