Incident Overview

Date: Wednesday 11 December 1957
Aircraft Type: de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter
Owner/operator: Philippine Air Lines
Registration Number: PI-C55
Location: Ozamiz City – ÿ Philippines
Phase of Flight: Initial climb
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 12
Component Affected: Aircraft structure (fuselage, wings, tail)Aircraft structure (fuselage, wings, tail)
Category: Accident
An Otter aircraft experienced a significant incident during takeoff, resulting in damage to two trees and fire. The aircraft’s gross weight was underestimated, leading to a loss of control and a potential stall at low altitude. The pilot’s actions, including a steep climb and exposure to strong winds, contributed to the incident.An Otter aircraft experienced a significant incident during takeoff, resulting in damage to two trees and fire. The aircraft’s gross weight was underestimated, leading to a loss of control and a potential stall at low altitude. The pilot’s actions, including a steep climb and exposure to strong winds, contributed to the incident.

Description

Climbing through 75 feet after takeoff, the Otter suddenly turned left and descended. The airplane hit two trees and caught fire. The flight manifest showed that the aircraft was carrying a total load of 804 kilogrammes. However, the correct weights of the actual load including passengers’ weight on board the aircraft and did not include the pieces of baggage which the passengers carried by hand. The aircraft’s gross weight at takeoff was within the maximum allowable payload. Since most passengers were seated at the rear, the aircraft’s centre of gravity limit was considerably exceeded. With this condition the pilot may have experienced extreme difficulty in maintaining the longitudinal stability of the aircraft after becoming airborne. This was further aggravated by the cross wind, gusty air and the high ambient temperature. PROBABLE CAUSE: “The uncontrollable stall at low altitude which resulted from the abrupt steep climb immediately after takeoff. Contributing factors were: 1) The improper loading of the aircraft; and 2) The prevailing gusty wind with a relatively high ambient temperature”

Primary Cause

Uncontrolled stall at low altitude due to abrupt steep climb following takeoff.Uncontrolled stall at low altitude due to abrupt steep climb following takeoff.

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