Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 on Mt Minembwe: 22 killed

Date & Time: Sep 12, 1997
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-CRY
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Bukavu - Uvira
MSN:
612
YOM:
1979
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
22
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a charter flight from Bukavu to Uvira, carrying people who were on their way to a peace meeting between factions in the eastern part of the country. While cruising in limited visibility, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located in the Minembwe Mountain Range, about 70 km southwest of Uvira. All 22 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Goroka: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 18, 1997 at 1032 LT
Registration:
P2-MMU
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Port Moresby - Mount Hagen - Chimbu - Goroka
MSN:
250
YOM:
1969
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
En route from Chimbu to Goroka, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with rain falls and fog. Other crew diverted to Madang Airport but the crew decided to continue. While flying at an altitude of 7,400 feet in limited visibility, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Yasirua located 7,2 km northeast of Goroka Airport. A pilot and a passenger survived while both other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in the Pacific Ocean

Date & Time: Apr 12, 1997 at 2204 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N242CA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Oakland - Honolulu
MSN:
342
YOM:
1972
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
25000
Captain / Total hours on type:
1000.00
Aircraft flight hours:
9873
Circumstances:
On a ferry flight from Oakland, California, to Honolulu, Hawaii, the pilot declared a low fuel emergency and diverted toward Hilo, Hawaii. Approximately 2.5 hours later, the aircraft was ditched in the Pacific ocean. The pilot evacuated the aircraft before it sank and was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard. He stated that, under flight planned conditions, the aircraft departed Oakland with sufficient fuel onboard to reach the intended destination with a 2-hour fuel reserve. However, the winds at flight altitude, which were reported as light and variable at the preflight weather briefing, developed into a significant headwind during the flight. At a point 7 hours and 10 minutes into the flight, the pilot determined that his fuel remaining was 8 hours and 40 minutes, with 7 hours and 40 minutes remaining to destination. Three hours later, the pilot determined that his 2-hour reserve was gone. He declared an emergency and diverted toward the closest airport, which was Hilo. Prior to fuel system exhaustion, the pilot elected to ditch the aircraft with power.
Probable cause:
The pilot's inadequate en route fuel consumption calculations, which led to his failure to recognize a deteriorating fuel duration versus time-to-go situation in a more timely way.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Apia: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 7, 1997 at 1038 LT
Operator:
Registration:
5W-FAU
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Pago Pago - Apia
MSN:
678
YOM:
1980
Flight number:
PH211
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
At about 1038 hours on Tuesday 7 January 1997, Polynesian Airlines’ DHC-6 (Twin Otter) 5W FAU collided with the western slopes of Mt Vaea, Apia, in conditions of low cloud and heavy rain. The aeroplane was on a scheduled flight from Pago Pago to Fagali’i, and was being flown to Fagali’i by visual reference after having made an instrument approach to Faleolo. The captain and two passengers lost their lives in the accident. The first officer and one passenger survived.
Probable cause:
The following causal factors were identified:
• The decision by the captain to continue the flight toward Fagali’i in reduced visibility and subsequently in cloud.
• Mis-identification of ground features, or an inappropriate heading and altitude flown, as a result of inadequate visual reference.
• Insufficient forward visibility to ensure effective and timely action to avoid a collision with terrain.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Medellín: 14 killed

Date & Time: Nov 30, 1996 at 1032 LT
Operator:
Registration:
HK-2602
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Medellín – Bahía Solano – Quibdo
MSN:
746
YOM:
1981
Flight number:
VX148
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Captain / Total flying hours:
4611
Captain / Total hours on type:
3311.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2060
Copilot / Total hours on type:
733
Aircraft flight hours:
35696
Aircraft flight cycles:
48915
Circumstances:
After takeoff from runway 01 at Medellín-Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport, the aircraft encountered difficulties to gain sufficient height. About three minutes after liftoff, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Padre Amaya located 8 km from the airport. The wreckage was found 30 metres below the summit. A passenger was found alive while 14 other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the crew in the flight technique applied during the take-off phase, by not evaluating the performance of the aircraft, considering the high weight in front of the obstacles to climb over on the ascent trajectory.
The following contributing factors were reported:
- Errors presented in the dispatch, since the weights were not totaled correctly, possibly due to errors in the handling of cargo and unaccompanied luggage.
- Attitude of complacency on the part of the crew, due to excellent meteorological conditions that caused an excess of confidence in the planning of the flight on the part of the crew.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 100 in Kahemba: 6 killed

Date & Time: Oct 3, 1996
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-CXK
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kahemba - Kikwit
MSN:
74
YOM:
1967
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
19
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled and crashed near the runway end. Both pilots and four passengers were killed while 15 other occupants were injured.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Ilaga

Date & Time: Sep 30, 1996 at 1215 LT
Operator:
Registration:
PK-YPF
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
210
YOM:
1969
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The approach to Ilaga Airport was completed in poor weather conditions due to heavy rain falls. After landing on a wet runway surface, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and came to rest down an embankment. All five occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Markham Bay: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 12, 1996 at 1347 LT
Operator:
Registration:
C-GNDN
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Iqaluit - Markham Bay - Lake Harbour
MSN:
427
YOM:
1974
Flight number:
7F064
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
3813
Captain / Total hours on type:
2028.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2724
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1000
Circumstances:
First Air 064, a DHC-6 Twin Otter (Serial No. 427), took off from Iqaluit, Northwest Territories (NWT), at 1258 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on a charter flight to Markham Bay, Lake Harbour, and back to Iqaluit. The aircraft was carrying six barrels of Jet B fuel to be delivered to Markham Bay, an off-strip landing site. At 1300, just after he took off, the captain told the Iqaluit Flight Service Station (FSS) specialist that the estimated time of arrival (ETA) for Markham Bay would be 1335. At approximately 1345, the crew informed First Air dispatch that they were landing at Markham Bay. After touching down, the pilot attempted an overshoot. During the attempt, the aircraft struck the ground about 200 metres past the end of the landing area, got airborne again, cleared a ridge, then crashed onto a rocky beach. A helicopter located the airplane 629 metres from the beginning of the landing area, partially submerged in water. The two pilots, the only occupants, received fatal injuries in the crash.
Probable cause:
For unknown reasons, a decision was made to overshoot even though insufficient runway remained for acceleration, take-off, and climb. Likely contributing directly to the decision to overshoot was the difficulty in controlling the aircraft on touchdown.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 200 near Cutral Có

Date & Time: Aug 9, 1996 at 1810 LT
Operator:
Registration:
LV-LNY
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Cutral Có - Rincón de Los Sauces
MSN:
171
YOM:
1969
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Cutral Có Airport, the crew continued under VFR mode over a hilly terrain and at an insufficient altitude. While trying to make an evasive manoeuvre to avoid ground contact, the aircraft struck the top of a hill with its right wing, stalled and crashed. Both pilots were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Impact of the aircraft against a mountain slope while attempting an evasive manoeuvre during a steep left turn. Decision of the crew to fly over hilly terrain below the minimum safe altitude under VFR mode. A contributing factor was the possible distraction of the crew during the last part of the flight over the canyon.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Playa del Carmen: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 17, 1996 at 1630 LT
Operator:
Registration:
XA-TCF
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cancún – Playa del Carmen
MSN:
734
YOM:
1980
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
16
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
After landing at Playa del Carmen Airport, the twin engine aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and crashed in a wooded area located along the airport. A passenger was killed and all 17 other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed. It was completing a flight from Cancún, carrying 16 German tourists.