What happened
On a scheduled sightseeing excursion departing from Rudyerd Bay, an aircraft operated by Promech Air, Inc. struck heavily forested mountains approximately 24 miles east-northeast of Ketchikan, Alaska. The flight was part of a series of four departures intended to transport cruise ship passengers back to the Ketchikan Harbor Seaplane Base. While the pilot had selected the "short route"—a path primarily over land—the aircraft encountered deteriorating weather characterized by rain, mist, and overcast clouds that restricted visibility.
During the flight, the pilot deviated from the established flight path by turning west prematurely after passing only one of two mountains on the intended route. This deviation placed the aircraft type on a direct path with a 1,900-foot peak. Evidence indicates that just two seconds before impact, the aircraft performed a rapid pitch-up maneuver, suggesting an attempt to avoid the terrain after the pilot realized the collision course. The impact occurred at an elevation of approximately 1,600 feet mean sea level, resulting in the destruction of the plane and 9 fatalities, including the pilot and eight passengers.
Findings
Investigations revealed that the pilot chose to continue visual flight into conditions that had transitioned into instrument meteorological conditions. The pilot's decision-making was influenced by several factors, including schedule pressure to meet cruise ship deadlines and an attempt to follow the lead of other pilots in the area. Furthermore, the company's operational culture lacked sufficient oversight, as there was no formal agreement between the pilot and flight scheduler regarding the safety of the mission. The investigation also noted that the operator's organizational culture tacitly permitted flying in hazardous weather conditions and lacked a robust safety program or adequate operational controls for flight releases.