Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 200 in Yarra Creek

Date & Time: Feb 13, 1979
Operator:
Registration:
VH-PAQ
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
King Island - Wynyard
MSN:
227
YOM:
1969
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane departed King Island-Currie Airport on a cargo flight to Wynyard-Burnie Airport, carrying one pilot and a load of meat. Weather conditions worsened and the pilot was unable to locate the destination airport so he decided to divert to Devonport Airfield. Unfortunately, the visibility was too low and he eventually decided to return to King Island. While approaching the coast, both engines failed due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crashed in a prairie located in Yarra Creek, on the east coast of the island. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure in flight due to fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter in Steamboat Springs: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 4, 1978 at 1945 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N25RM
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Steamboat Springs - Denver
MSN:
387
YOM:
1973
Flight number:
JC217
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
7340
Captain / Total hours on type:
3904.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3816
Copilot / Total hours on type:
320
Aircraft flight hours:
15145
Circumstances:
The flight departed Steamboat Springs-Bob Adams Airport at 1855LT on a scheduled flight to Denver-Stapleton, carrying 20 passengers and a crew of two. After takeoff, while climbing, the crew encountered severe icing conditions and was cleared to return when the flight crashed into a mountain at the 10,530 feet level. Rescuers arrived on scene the following morning. A pilot and a passenger died while 20 other occupants were injured, most of them seriously. According to official observations, the weather at Steamboat Springs about 25 minutes before the accident consisted of an estimated 2,000 feet overcast ceiling and 6 miles visibility in freezing rain. According to surviving passengers, after the accident, snow was falling at the crash site and a strong wind was blowing and gusting from the west.
Probable cause:
The probable cause of the accident was severe icing and strong downdrafts associated with a mountain wave which combined to exceed the aircraft's capability to maintain flight. Contributing to the accident was the captain's decision to fly into probable icing conditions that exceeded the conditions authorised by company directive.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 off Marie-Galante: 15 killed

Date & Time: Nov 18, 1978
Operator:
Registration:
F-OGHD
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Pointe-à-Pitre - Marie-Galante
MSN:
469
YOM:
1975
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
19
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
15
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Pointe-à-Pitre on a schedule flight to the Island of Marie-Galante, carrying 19 passengers and one pilot. Weather conditions deteriorated en route and while approaching Marie-Galante, the ceiling was very low, about 200 feet above water with rain falls, turbulences and stormy conditions. While completing a slight turn to the left, the left wing tip struck the water surface. The aircraft crashed into the sea and sank by a depth of 13 meters few hundred meters offshore. Five passengers were rescued while 15 other occupants, among them the pilot, were killed. The wreckage was recovered. The aircraft was not equipped with a flight data recorder or an autopilot system.
Probable cause:
In the absence of a flight data recorder (not compulsory on this type of aircraft), investigators stated that their examination of the wreck showed no evidence of a technical failure of the aircraft or of its engines or equipment prior to impact, and that the probable cause of the accident was the decision taken by the pilot to descend in cloud to try to establish visual contact with the ground or the sea. The absence of an autopilot system (it was not installed in the aircraft) was acknowledge by the commission. It was reported that the airline had requested and obtained from the French CAA an exemption to fly this aircraft with only one pilot, but the said exemption mentioned that an operative autopilot system was compulsory for all flights, which was not the case for this aircraft. Prior to the accident, the Pilot's Association had officially protested in writing about the total lack of implementation of these provisions by the airline, about the pressures exerted onto the pilots to accept such flights in the absence of ATC radar coverage, of airborne weather radar, DME and transponder equipment, together with inadequate maintenance practices.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 200 in Barrow: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 13, 1978 at 1644 LT
Registration:
N4048B
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Anaktuvuk Pass - Barrow
MSN:
125
YOM:
1968
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
4302
Captain / Total hours on type:
892.00
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was completing a taxi flight from Anaktuvuk Pass to Barrow. On final approach to Barrow Airport in icing conditions, the airplane stalled and crashed in flames short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed, the pilot was killed and the passenger was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Stall on final approach after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection on part of the maintenance personnel,
- Airframe - flight controls surfaces: other, improperly installed,
- The pilot failed to use or incorrectly used miscellaneous equipment,
- Improper operation of anti-icing/deicing equipment or failed to use,
- The pilot misused or failed to use flaps,
- Inadequate flight training procedures on part of the operational supervisory personnel,
- Deficiency, company maintained equipment, services, regulation on part of the operational supervisory personnel,
- Icing conditions including sleet, freezing rain,
- Improper installed deice boots on horizontal stabilizer.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter near Mexico City: 19 killed

Date & Time: Sep 9, 1978
Registration:
XA-BOP
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Mexico City - Morelia
MSN:
18
YOM:
1966
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
19
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
19
Circumstances:
While cruising in marginal weather conditions, the twin engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain shrouded by clouds and located about 65 km west of Mexico City. A pilot and a passenger survived while 19 other occupants were killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 200 off Vancouver: 11 killed

Date & Time: Sep 3, 1978 at 1742 LT
Operator:
Registration:
C-FAIV
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Victoria - Vancouver
MSN:
215
YOM:
1969
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Captain / Total flying hours:
6000
Captain / Total hours on type:
3600.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
450
Circumstances:
Twin Otter C-FAIV, operating as a scheduled VFR flight, departed Victoria Harbour at 1718LT with Vancouver Harbour water-aerodrome as destination. The estimated time en route was 20 minutes. The flight proceeded normally and reported by Active Pass at 2,000 feet. This altitude was maintained in order to cross the Vancouver Control Zone in accordance with standard procedure; once out of the control zone, a slow descent was begun towards Vancouver Harbour. Normal radio procedures were followed as the flight reported by standard visual reporting points. Just before joining final approach, the transmission, "AIV, Third Beach", was made and landing clearance was given to the flight by the Harbour Tower. The approach continued, and when the aircraft reached approximately 175 feet above the surface, nine ground witnesses heard a loud noise from the aircraft. Two surviving witnesses also heard a noise. Power was subsequently applied and C-FAIV yawed left, rolled in the same direction and plunged into the harbour in a left-wing and nose-down attitude, 2 500 feet from the intended landing area. An ELT (Emergency Locator Transmitter) tone was heard by the tower controller 54 seconds after the radio call at Third Beach. The controller called the aircraft several times but there was no response. The flight had been of 24 minutes duration. Both pilots and nine passengers were killed while two others were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The following findings were determined:
- The final approach to land was normal until an unusual noise occurred followed by loss of control,
- The aircraft dived into the water with left wing down, nose down and with some sideslip. Value of roll, pitch and yaw, at impact could not be estimated with useful accuracy,
- At impact, the complete left flap system was in the retracted position,
- The inboard span-wise push-pull flap control rod (inboard bell-crank to inboard rod, PT # C6CW-1029-1), was severely stress-corroded and had at least three longitudinal cracks; the rod had separated from its inboard fitting,
- It was deduced t h a t t h e in-flight failure of the left-hand inboard flap control rod led to sudden retraction of the complete left-hand flap system and sudden loss of control.
- The passengers had not been briefed in evacuation procedures,
- The crew was qualified for the type of operation in accordance with Transport Canada regulations. After the failure of the left flap control rod, no action by the pilot could have averted the accident.
Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Aug 26, 1978
Operator:
Registration:
XY-AEI
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Papun - Yangon
MSN:
541
YOM:
1977
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Papun Airport runway 18, while climbing to a height of 400 feet, the airplane suffered an explosion and crashed. All 14 occupants were killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Frobisher Bay: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 23, 1978
Operator:
Registration:
CF-QDG
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
246
YOM:
1969
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
On final approach to Frobisher Bay Airport, while passing 40 feet over the runway threshold, the twin engine airplane rolled to the left and descended out of control, causing the left wing to struck the ILS antenna. The left engine was torn off and the airplane crashed nose first and came to rest upside down on the left side of the runway. Five occupants were injured while one the pilot was killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Candor: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jul 13, 1978 at 2145 LT
Registration:
N76214
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Fort Bragg - Fort Bragg
MSN:
236
YOM:
1969
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Fort Bragg AFB on a training flight for the US Army, carrying three passengers and two pilots. While flying by night, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck a tree and crashed in Candor, about 43 miles northwest of Fort Bragg.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 at Kingston AFB: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 17, 1978 at 0740 LT
Registration:
JDFT-6
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Kingston - Kingston
MSN:
531
YOM:
1977
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training mission at Up Park Camp Airbase in Kingston. Following two successful landings, the crew initiated a third approach with the left engine voluntarily inoperative to simulate a failure. On final, the airplane banked left then lost height and crashed in flames on a cricket pitch close to the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed.