Pilot Debrief

DEHAVILLAND BEAVER DHC 2 MK.1 near Lopez Island, WA — 2016-09-30

Final reportWPR16LA189
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Date
2016-09-30
Location
Lopez Island, WA, USA
Airport
81W
Aircraft
DEHAVILLAND BEAVER DHC 2 MK.1
Registration
N6781L
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to land in an area of low visibility and ground fog, which resulted in collision with water.

NTSB narrative

While maneuvering at low altitude for a water landing, the commercial pilot of the float-equipped airplane encountered low visibility due to ground fog. The pilot initiated a go-around, but the airplane impacted the water, bounced, and impacted the water a second time before coming to rest upright. The airplane subsequently sank and was not recovered. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The operator further reported that other company pilots who were flying on the day of the accident stated that the low visibility conditions were easily avoided by a slight course deviation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
VFR into IMC
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided foggy area with slight flight path deviation to the west.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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