Incident Overview
Date: Wednesday 29 July 2009
Aircraft Type: de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300
Owner/operator: Air Greenland
Registration Number: OY-POF
Location: 340 km N of Constable Point –
ÿ Greenland
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Substantial, repaired
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Component Affected: Right Main WheelRight Main Wheel
Category: Accident
A DHC-6 Twin Otter, OY-POF, experienced a hard landing at a remote airstrip in Greenland due to a sudden and unexpected downward wind flow. The aircraft’s right main wheel impacted the ground during the touchdown, resulting in damage and a potential aircraft incident.A DHC-6 Twin Otter, OY-POF, experienced a hard landing at a remote airstrip in Greenland due to a sudden and unexpected downward wind flow. The aircraft’s right main wheel impacted the ground during the touchdown, resulting in damage and a potential aircraft incident.
Description
A DHC-6 Twin Otter, OY-POF, sustained substantial damage in a hard landing at a remote airstrip in Greenland. Both crew members survived. The airplane operated on a cargo flight out of Mestersvig Air Base to an airstrip at 73 24N 24 30W. On arrival at the selected landing area the pilots decided to perform a low flyover to assess wind conditions. On finals the aircraft suffered an unexpected downward wind flow (downdraft), causing the right main wheel to contact the ground before the airstrip. The aircraft bounced and in the subsequent touchdown, the right wing impacted the ground. Conclusion: AIB considers it likely that local topography combined with the current wind conditions were influence the course of events.
Primary Cause
Local topography and current wind conditions combined to induce a downward wind flow, leading to the impact on the ground.Local topography and current wind conditions combined to induce a downward wind flow, leading to the impact on the ground.Share on:
