Incident Overview
Date: Thursday 3 July 1997
Aircraft Type: de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter
Owner/operator: Osprey Wings
Registration Number: C-FYLZ
Location: Southend, SK –
ÿ Canada
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Substantial, repaired
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Component Affected: Left front strut of the float.Left front strut of the float.
Category: Accident
A single-pilot float-equipped aircraft experienced a catastrophic landing due to gusty conditions and a 90-degree crosswind. The aircraft dropped and struck the water, resulting in the failure of the left front strut. The front section of the float departed the aircraft and the pilot applied power to regain altitude, leading to a partial sinking and subsequent submergence.A single-pilot float-equipped aircraft experienced a catastrophic landing due to gusty conditions and a 90-degree crosswind. The aircraft dropped and struck the water, resulting in the failure of the left front strut. The front section of the float departed the aircraft and the pilot applied power to regain altitude, leading to a partial sinking and subsequent submergence.
Description
The pilot, who was the sole occupant, attempted to land the float-equipped aircraft on the bay near Southend in gusty conditions with a 90 degree crosswind from the left. From an altitude of about 15 feet above the surface of the water, the aircraft dropped and struck the water, causing the failure of the left front strut on the float. The front section of the float departed the aircraft and the pilot applied power to get back into the air. He then landed further down on the bay, however, with only a partial float on one side of the aircraft, it sank after landing and was submerged.
Primary Cause
Gusty wind conditions and a 90-degree crosswind created excessive lift and instability, leading to a sudden and uncontrolled drop.Gusty wind conditions and a 90-degree crosswind created excessive lift and instability, leading to a sudden and uncontrolled drop.Share on:
