Incident Overview
Date: Saturday 2 September 1978
Aircraft Type: de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 200
Owner/operator: Airwest Airlines
Registration Number: C-FAIV
Location: Vancouver-Coal Harbour SPB, BC (CXH) –
ÿ Canada
Phase of Flight: Approach
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 11 / Occupants: 13
Component Affected: The left-hand inboard flap control rod and the inboard span-wise push-pull flap control rod (inboard bell-crank to inboard rod).The left-hand inboard flap control rod and the inboard span-wise push-pull flap control rod (inboard bell-crank to inboard rod).
Category: Accident
A float-equipped Twin Otter passenger plane experienced a sudden and catastrophic loss of control during approach to Vancouver Harbour water aerodrome. The aircraft yawed to the left and plunged into the harbour, resulting in significant damage and loss of life.A float-equipped Twin Otter passenger plane experienced a sudden and catastrophic loss of control during approach to Vancouver Harbour water aerodrome. The aircraft yawed to the left and plunged into the harbour, resulting in significant damage and loss of life.
Description
The float-equipped Twin Otter passenger plane departed Victoria Harbour at 17:18 for a 20-minute flight to Vancouver Harbour water aerodrome (CXH). At 175 feet, while on final approach, a loud noise was heard. The aircraft yawed to the left and plunged into the harbour in a left-wing and nose-down attitude, 2500 feet short of the landing area. PROBABLE CAUSE: In-flight failure of the left-hand inboard flap control rod that led to a sudden retraction of the complete left-hand flap system and sudden loss of control. The inboard span-wise push-pull flap control rod (inboard bell-crank to inboard rod) was severely stress-corroded and had at least three longitudinal cracks; the rod had separated from its inboard fitting.
Primary Cause
In-flight failure of the left-hand inboard flap control rod, leading to a sudden retraction of the complete left-hand flap system and loss of control.In-flight failure of the left-hand inboard flap control rod, leading to a sudden retraction of the complete left-hand flap system and loss of control.Share on:
