4/15/2021
WASHINGTON (April 15, 2021) — The National Transportation Safety Board announced Thursday its intent to hold a public board meeting April 20, 2021, 9:30 a.m. Eastern time, to determine the probable cause of a fatal midair collision involving two air tour operators in Alaska.
On May 13, 2019, a float-equipped de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver and a float-equipped de Havilland DHC-3 Turbine Otter collided in flight about eight miles northeast of Ketchikan, Alaska. The DHC-2 pilot and four passengers suffered fatal injuries; the DHC-3 pilot suffered minor injuries, nine passengers were seriously injured, and one passenger suffered fatal injuries.
The NTSB’s five-member board will vote on the findings, probable cause and recommendations as well as any changes to the draft final report.
(In this photo taken on May 15, 2019, NTSB investigator Clint Crookshanks and Member Jennifer Homendy are near the wreckage of the DHC-2 Beaver involved in the May 13, 2019, midair collision near Ketchikan, Alaska. NTSB photo by Peter Knudson)
In keeping with established federal and local social distancing guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, while also ensuring the NTSB’s compliance with the Government in the Sunshine Act, the board meeting for this event will be webcast to the public, with the board members and investigative staff meeting virtually. There will be no physical gathering to facilitate the board meeting.
WHO: NTSB investigative staff and board members.
WHAT: A webcast of a virtual board meeting.
WHEN: Tuesday, April 20, 2021, 9:30 a.m. Eastern time.
HOW: The board meeting will be webcast only, there will not be a public gathering of NTSB investigative staff or board members. A link to the webcast will be available shortly before the start of the meeting at http://ntsb.windrosemedia.com/.
MEDIA AVAILABILITY: NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt is scheduled to hold a virtual media availability that will begin 30 minutes after the board meeting concludes.
The virtual media availability with Chairman Sumwalt will be conducted using Microsoft Teams Live Event. Journalists who RSVP to ntsbmediarelations@ntsb.gov will receive an email with the link and information about how the availability will be conducted. A recording of the availability will be made available on the NTSB’s YouTube channel as soon as practicable.
Contact: NTSB Media Relations
490 L’Enfant Plaza, SW
Washington, DC 20594
Phone Number
(202) 314-6100
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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent federal agency charged with determining the probable cause of transportation accidents, promoting transportation safety, and assisting victims of transportation accidents and their families.
