BLAKELY ISLAND, WA, USA
N62SJ
de Havilland DHC-2
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE WATER TAKEOFF THE WINDS CHANGED FROM A HEADWIND TO A QUARTERING TAILWIND. ONE FLOAT DUG INTO THE WATER, AND THE AIRCRAFT TURNED TOWARD THE SHORE. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE IT IMPACTED THE SHORELINE.
On September 2, 1995, approximately 1125 Pacific daylight time, a float-equipped DeHavilland DHC-2, N62SJ, collided with the shoreline while attempting a takeoff near Blakely Island, Washington. The airline transport pilot and his passenger received minor injuries, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The personal pleasure flight, which was departing for an undetermined destination, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that the ELT activated but it did not assist in locating the accident. According to the FAA inspector who talked with the pilot, the pilot was beginning the takeoff run when he experienced a headwind which suddenly switched to a quartering tailwind. When the wind direction changed, one of the aircraft's floats dug into the water, and the aircraft turned toward the shore. The pilot was not able to stop the aircraft before it impacted the shoreline.
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS DURING TAKEOFF. A FACTOR WAS THE SUDDEN CHANGE IN WIND DIRECTION.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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