Country
Canada

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

Date & Time: May 25, 1986
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Registration:
C-FZZM
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
156
YOM:
1968
Location:
Reliance
Northwest Territories
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approximately 25-May-1986, the aircraft landed on lake ice at Reliance, NWT; while taxiing the nose gear settled into a crack in the ice. The people of the community managed to prevent the aircraft from sinking further using pallets and empty drums. While the insurance company assessed methods of possibly removing the aircraft it continued to sink, eventually to a depth where only the tail remained above water. A military Chinook helicopter was eventually dispatched to Reliance, and it successfully lifted the aircraft out of the lake, and set it down in front of the weather station pending preparations to sling load it 143 nm to Yellowknife. After lift off, and a distance of approximately 200 yards the helicopter's load master elected to drop the aircraft, which plowed nose first into the lake, through the remaining lake ice. Some parts were salvageable and barged back to Yellowknife, however the aircraft was a total loss.
Text & photos : www.twinotterworld.com

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 near Tame: 13 killed

Date & Time: Apr 27, 1986 at 0835 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Registration:
HK-2761
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Bogotá – Saravena
MSN:
780
YOM:
1982
Location:
Tame
Arauca
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
13
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft was cruising at an altitude of 8,500 feet in marginal weather conditions when it struck the slope of a mountain located about 18 km east of Tame, some 50 km south of Saravena. The aircraft was destroyed and all 13 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter near Homer City: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 11, 1985 at 2140 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Registration:
N3257
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
State College – Pittsburgh
MSN:
192
YOM:
1969
Location:
Homer City
Pennsylvania
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
5725
Captain / Total hours on type:
574.00
Aircraft flight hours:
33487
Circumstances:
The aircraft was observed flying at low altitude along about a 5 mile distance. Some witnesses described the aircraft altitude as just above treetops. Witness heard engine sounds and saw lights on the aircraft. The aircraft flight was on a southeast direction before it collided with rising terrain at a height of about 1,250 feet. The wreckage was scattered along a distance of 375 feet and oriented on a 160° magnetic heading. The destination, Pittsburgh, is located southwest of the departure point, State College. Evidence of aircraft malfunction was not disclosed. The aircraft had 1,902 lbs of cargo including 65 lbs of dry ice which was contained in styrofoam boxes. Autopsy and toxicological findings were negative. The pilot flew nightly, from State College to Pittsburgh and returned the following morning. He operated a business during the day. Witnesses stated the pilot was well rested and in good spirits before the flight.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: descent - normal
Findings
1. (f) terrain condition - high terrain
2. (f) terrain condition - rising
3. (c) altitude - not maintained - pilot in command
4. (c) clearance - improper - pilot in command
5. (c) low pass - performed - pilot in command
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Mulia: 8 killed

Date & Time: Aug 12, 1985
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Registration:
PK-NUG
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
346
YOM:
1972
Location:
Mulia
Special Region of Papua
Country:
Indonesia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
16
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
Crashed shortly after takeoff from Mulia Airport for unknown reasons. Eight occupants were killed while 11 others were injured.

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

Date & Time: Mar 12, 1985 at 0015 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Registration:
N540N
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Prudhoe Bay – Kaktovik
MSN:
401
YOM:
1973
Location:
Kaktovik (Barter Island)
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5311
Captain / Total hours on type:
2098.00
Aircraft flight hours:
13652
Circumstances:
Aircraft crashed during missed approach to temporary winter landing strip. Aircraft hit in steep nose down attitude. Marginal weather conditions prevailed, with icing reported. All four occupants were injured, both pilots seriously.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: go-around (vfr)
Findings
1. (f) terrain condition - snow covered
2. (c) flight manuals - not followed - pilot in command
3. (f) overconfidence in aircraft's ability - pilot in command
4. (f) inadequate surveillance of operation - company/operator mgmt
5. (f) weather condition - fog
6. (f) weather evaluation - inaccurate - pilot in command
7. (f) company-induced pressure - company/operator management
8. (f) inadequate surveillance of operation - faa (organization)
9. (f) light condition - dark night
10. (f) in-flight planning/decision - poor - pilot in command
11. (f) expectancy - other person
12. (f) insuff standards/requirements, operation/operator - company/operator mgmt
13. (f) light condition - dark night
14. (f) weather evaluation - inaccurate - pilot in command
15. (f) fatigue (flight and ground schedule) - pilot in command
16. (c) weather condition - icing conditions
17. (f) flight into known adverse weather - intentional - pilot in command
18. Fatigue (flight and ground schedule) - copilot/second pilot
19. (f) wing - ice
20. (f) anti-ice/deice system - not used - pilot in command
21. (c) altitude - inadequate - pilot in command
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 on Mt El Plateado: 23 killed

Date & Time: Jan 23, 1985 at 1035 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Registration:
HK-1910
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Quibdó – Medellín
MSN:
497
YOM:
1976
Flight number:
VX052
Location:
Mt El Plateado
Chocó
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
23
Circumstances:
En route from Quibdó to Medellín, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions with mist and intermittent rain falls. While cruising at an altitude of 11,500 feet, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt El Plateado located in the northeast part of the Chocó province, about 66 km northeast of Quibdó. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all 23 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the crew decided to continue under VFR mode in IMC conditions.

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

Date & Time: Jan 8, 1985
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Registration:
YA-GAY
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Kabul - Bamyan
MSN:
332
YOM:
1971
Location:
Bamyan
Bamyan
Country:
Afghanistan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Bamyan Airport, the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances few hundred meters short of runway. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and all 20 occupants escaped uninjured.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Bhojpur: 15 killed

Date & Time: Dec 22, 1984
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Registration:
9N-ABH
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Kathmandu - Bhojpur
MSN:
376
YOM:
1973
Location:
Bhojpur
Koshi
Country:
Nepal
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
15
Circumstances:
While descending to Bhojpur in marginal weather conditions, the Twin Otter struck the slope of a mountain located few km from the airport. All three crew members and 12 passengers were killed while eight others were injured.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the crew initiated the descent prematurely, causing the aircraft to descend below the MDA.

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

Date & Time: Dec 20, 1984 at 1851 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Registration:
5H-MRD
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Dar es Salaam - Dar es Salaam
MSN:
581
YOM:
1978
Location:
Karege
Pwani Region
Country:
Tanzania
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
5295
Captain / Total hours on type:
446.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
296
Copilot / Total hours on type:
16
Circumstances:
The crew (one instructor and two pilots) departed Dar es Salaam Intl Airport on a local training flight. In the early evening, while returning to the airport, the twin engine airplane went out of control, entered a dive and crashed in a wooded area, bursting into flames. The wreckage was found near Karege, about 35 km northwest of Dar es Salaam Airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all three crew members were killed. The instructor totalized 5,295 flying hours with 446 on type. Both other pilots totalized 300 flying hours with 20 on type and 296 flying hours with 16 on type.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, it was reported that the loss of control occurred when the power lever of the left engine was in idle position while the reverser on the left engine was activated at the same time. Thus, investigators does not rule out the assumption that the pilot attempted to commit suicide. Also, the assumption that the crew lost control of the airplane following a sudden and violent fire on the right engine was also not ruled out.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 in Bagua: 21 killed

Date & Time: Dec 19, 1984 at 1357 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
Operator:
Registration:
FAP307
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Iquitos – Bagua – Piura
MSN:
317
YOM:
1971
Location:
Bagua
Amazonas
Country:
Peru
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
18
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
21
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Bagua-El Valor Airport, while climbing, the aircraft exploded and crashed. All 21 occupants were killed. The aircraft was completing a special flight from Iquitos to Piura with an intermediate stop in Bagua on behalf of PetroPeru.
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