Key West Seaplanes Turbine Otter Overturns After Sand Bank Strike

Key West, Florida — A de Havilland DHC-3T Vazar Turbine Otter operated by Key West Seaplanes overturned after striking a sand bank near Key West International Airport (EYW/KEYW), leaving the pilot uninjured despite substantial damage to the aircraft.

The float-equipped aircraft, registration N708KA, struck the sand bank during flight operations and subsequently overturned at the location near the Florida Keys city. The Aviation Safety Network (ASN) confirms zero fatalities, with the pilot escaping injury despite the significant structural damage to the seaplane.

Details regarding the specific cause of the incident remain under review by accident investigation authorities. ASN data indicates that information has been verified through federal aviation authorities, though no official preliminary report was available at the time of this report.

The de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter is a Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) aircraft often converted with turbine engines for remote area operations, typically utilizing PT6A engines and float supplemental type certificates. The aircraft type is commonly used for seaplane charter operations in coastal areas like the Florida Keys.

The status of Key West Seaplanes' fleet operations and the damaged aircraft's future airworthiness will be determined as the investigation proceeds.