Two DeHavilland's collide over George Inlet, Alaska

On the 13th of May 2019, a collision occurred over George Inlet, Alaska, United States, between a Mountain Air Service de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver floatplane and a Taquan Air de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Turbine Otter floatplane. The DHC-2 disintegrated mid-air, resulting in the deaths of the pilot and all four passengers. The DHC-3 pilot managed to retain partial control despite significant damage from the collision and the emergency landing that followed; the pilot sustained minor injuries, nine passengers were seriously injured, and one passenger died. Both planes were on sightseeing tours, operating under visual flight rules which require pilots to maintain separation from other aircraft visually, a method known as "see and avoid."

In April 2021, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined that the crash was due to "the inherent limitations of the see-and-avoid concept" and a lack of alerts from the traffic display systems of both planes. The DHC-2 pilot's view was obstructed by the aircraft's structure and the passenger in the right-hand seat, while the DHC-3 pilot's view was blocked by the left front window post. Although both planes had Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) systems, the DHC-3's alert feature was inoperative due to an equipment modification, and the DHC-2's system failed to alert because the DHC-3's avionics did not transmit its altitude. The NTSB also cited Taquan's insufficient preflight checklist and the Federal Aviation Administration's lack of enforcement for Taquan to adopt a safety management system as additional contributing factors.

Aircraft Information:

Owner/Operator: Mountain Air Service

Aircraft: de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Mk 1

Registration: N952DB

Serial Number: 237

Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior radial.

First Flew: 1951

Age: 67 Years 

Aircraft Information:

Owner/Operator Taquan Air

Aircraft: de Havilland Canada DHC-3T Vazar Turbine Otter 

Registration: N959PA

Serial Number: 159

Engines: 2 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27 turboprop

First Flew: 1956

Age: 63 Years