Taku Lodge - Juneau

On June 23, 1994 at 08:15 PM, Taku Lodge - Juneau experienced a crash involving De Havilland DHC-3 Otter, operated by Wings of Alaska, with the event recorded near Taku Lodge Alaska.

The flight was categorized as charter/taxi (non scheduled revenue flight) and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a lake, sea, ocean, river crash site.

11 people were known to be on board, 7 fatalities were recorded, 4 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 63.6%.

Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 10, passenger fatalities: 7, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. Five aircraft departed a lodge, one behind the other. Fog and drizzle were encountered, and the pilot of the first aircraft radioed to the pilots of the other aircraft to cross the river to the east shoreline. A passenger in the fourth aircraft (N13GA) stated that when the aircraft was over the middle of the river, she could not see either shore due to fog. The pilot of N13GA (a floatplane) stated that he encountered deteriorating weather and started a descent, intending to make a precautionary landing. He began to level, expecting conditions to improve. Subsequently, the floatplane hit the surface of 'glassy water' and crashed. Seven passengers were killed and four other occupants were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Aircraft reference details include registration N13GA, MSN 179, year of manufacture 1956.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 58.4904°, -133.9406°.