De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter

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.

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.

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.

While approaching Mendi Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with limited visibility due to rain falls. At an altitude of 9,200 feet, the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located 8 km from the runway threshold. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 20 occupants were killed.

On approach to Santa Maria de Otaez Airstrip, the crew encountered strong winds and turbulences when the aircraft went out of control and crashed on a hill located few km from the airfield. Three passengers were seriously injured while 16 other occupants were killed. About two weeks later, one of the survivor died from his injuries.

On April 7, 1996, about 0600 Atlantic standard time, N143SA, a De Havilland DH6, operated by Dolphin Express Airlines crashed on takeoff roll at Virgin Gorda Airport, British Virgin Islands. The flight was a 14 CFR Part 135 scheduled international passenger commuter flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a VFR flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the captain, first officer, and eight passengers reported no injuries. One passenger received minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The captain stated the while on takeoff roll the airplane veered sharply to the left and she could not exercise directional control. The airplane then departed the runway and crashed through a fence, ripping one wing off the airplane. The airplane was equipped with a CVR that is being removed for further readout.

Following a flight from El Nido Palawan, the crew of the Twin Otter landed at Manila-Ninoy Aquino Airport and was instructed to taxi via F1 to reach his parking place. At the same time, a Boeing 737-3Y0 operated by Philippine Airlines (flight PR1370 from Manila to Bacolod) was taking off from runway 13 so the crew of the Twin Otter was instructed to hold on taxiway F1. For unknown reasons, the crew misinterpreted this instruction and started to cross the runway when the Boeing 737 collided with the DHC-6 that was dragged for 130 metres. The Boeing was slightly damaged on its nose while the Twin Otter was destroyed. Both pilots were injured.

On March 9, 1996, a De Havilland DHC-6-200, N245GW, registered to Air Associates Inc., leased to Carson Services Inc., operating as a 14 CFR part 91 aerial survey flight, crashed at an undetermined time. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the departure airport, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane is missing and is presumed destroyed. The American pilot-in-command, American survey operator, and Peruvian Air Force observer are missing, and are presumed to be fatally injured. The flight originated from Bagua, Peru, at about 0617 mountain daylight time. Personnel from the Director General of Civil Aviation stated, the airplane departed from Bagua, Peru, conducting an aerial geological survey near the disputed boarder with Ecuador, in the Cenepa River area over dense Amazon jungle. The airplane did not return to Bagua, and there are no known recorded radio communications with N245GW. Search and rescue operations have been uneventful.

The approach to Cobán Airport was initiated in poor weather conditions with limited visibility due to fog. Too low, the aircraft struck trees and crashed in a wooded area located 7,2 km short of runway. Both pilots were killed. They were completing a positioning flight from Guatemala City.

On final approach to Addis Ababa-Bole Airport, the twin engine aircraft collided with a white backed vulture of 5,4 kg. The windshield was broken and both pilots were seriously injured. Nevertheless, they elected to make an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed 300 metres short of runway. All 20 occupants were rescued, among them nine were injured.