Incident Overview
Date: Wednesday 22 September 1976
Aircraft Type: de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 100
Owner/operator: Airwest Airlines
Registration Number: C-FAWF
Location: near Mosher Creek, BC –
ÿ Canada
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 19
Component Affected: Aircraft Control System (specifically, the rudder and control surfaces).Aircraft Control System (specifically, the rudder and control surfaces).
Category: Accident
A Twin Otter aircraft was attempting a circling climb procedure within a narrow valley to clear a 6000-foot ridge. A steep turn was initiated, leading to a nose-high attitude and a sudden loss of control as the aircraft entered a dense forest. The pilot initiated a maneuver to avoid a stall.A Twin Otter aircraft was attempting a circling climb procedure within a narrow valley to clear a 6000-foot ridge. A steep turn was initiated, leading to a nose-high attitude and a sudden loss of control as the aircraft entered a dense forest. The pilot initiated a maneuver to avoid a stall.
Description
The Twin Otter was carrying out a circling climb procedure within the confines of a narrow valley in order to clear a 6000 feet ridge. Trying to clear a ridge at 4500 feet a steep turn was carried out. Sensing an impending stall, the pilot leveled the wings and flew the aircraft into the trees in a nose high attitude.
Primary Cause
Loss of control due to a sudden turn and subsequent nose-high attitude during a circling climb procedure within a confined airspace.Loss of control due to a sudden turn and subsequent nose-high attitude during a circling climb procedure within a confined airspace.Share on:
