Crash of a Dornier DO228-201 at Rothera Station

Date & Time: Jan 25, 2005 at 1433 LT
Type of aircraft:
Dornier DO228
Operator:
Registration:
D-CICE
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Topographic
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Halley - Rothera
MSN:
7073
YOM:
1985
Location:
Rothera Station
All Antarctica
Country:
Antarctica
Region:
Antarctica
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft christened 'Polar 4' was completing a flight from Halley to Rothera Station. Following a steep approach in marginal weather conditions with low clouds and snow falls, the aircraft landed hard and suffered substantial damages. There were no injuries but the aircraft was later transferred to Germany and declared damaged beyond repair in November 2005.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 at Rothera Station: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 24, 1994 at 0301 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Registration:
C-GKBD
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Rothera - Terra Nova Bay
MSN:
314
YOM:
1971
Location:
Rothera Station
All Antarctica
Country:
Antarctica
Region:
Antarctica
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
3984
Captain / Total hours on type:
3414.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3180
Copilot / Total hours on type:
448
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Rothera Station runway 18 on a charter flight to Terra Nova, carrying two passengers and two pilots. During initial climb, the airplane became unstable and rolled side to side. From a height of about 100 feet, it stalled and crashed on the slope of an iceberg facing the airport, bursting into flames. All four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty as rescuers and investigators were unable to reach the crash site that was unstable and too dangerous. The stall occurred at a too low altitude to expect recovery.
Final Report:
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