Incident Overview
Date: Sunday 16 July 1972
Aircraft Type: de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter
Owner/operator: BC Yukon Air Service
Registration Number: CF-XUX
Location: 58 km NW of Nahanni Butte, NWT –
ÿ Canada
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2
Component Affected: The aircraft’s flight control systems and potentially the aircraft’s lateral stability were compromised due to the poor weather conditions.The aircraft’s flight control systems and potentially the aircraft’s lateral stability were compromised due to the poor weather conditions.
Category: Accident
An aircraft struck the side of a box canyon during a 180-degree turn attempt to escape a narrow canyon. Poor weather conditions, including a low ceiling and reduced visibility, contributed to the incident.An aircraft struck the side of a box canyon during a 180-degree turn attempt to escape a narrow canyon. Poor weather conditions, including a low ceiling and reduced visibility, contributed to the incident.
Description
The aircraft entered a box canyon and struck the side as the pilot attempted a 180-degree turn to get out of the 560 feet wide canyon. Weather was poor with a ceiling of 4,000 feet with four miles visibility in light rain. The aircraft was on its way to help set up a camp on a small lake on Ram Plateau.
Source of Information
http://www.dhc-3archive.com/DHC-3_72.htmlhttp://www.dhc-3archive.com/DHC-3_72.htmlPrimary Cause
Poor weather conditions ? low ceiling and reduced visibility ? caused a loss of situational awareness and limited the pilot’s ability to maneuver effectively.Poor weather conditions ? low ceiling and reduced visibility ? caused a loss of situational awareness and limited the pilot’s ability to maneuver effectively.Share on:
