Twin Otter Plane Crashes During Take-off

durt · #1 ● 11-18-2014, 07:16 PM

On July 8, 2007, a tragic incident occurred when a Liard Air de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, registration C-FAWC, crashed shortly after takeoff from a gravel airstrip near the Northern Rockies Lodge at Muncho Lake. The flight, scheduled for Prince George, British Columbia, encountered difficulties during its ascent.

The aircraft, after becoming airborne, made a right turn, during which the right outboard flap hanger made contact with the Alaska Highway. It subsequently struck a telephone pole and a cable, then impacted the edge of the highway again, before crashing onto a rocky embankment next to a dry creek channel. The aircraft was approximately 600 feet from the departure end of the airstrip when it came to rest, and an intense post-impact fire ensued, leading to the aircraft's destruction.

This accident tragically claimed the life of one passenger, who suffered fatal burn injuries. Additionally, one pilot was seriously burned, the other pilot sustained serious impact injuries, and the two other passengers received minor injuries.

A video of the crash shows the aircraft struggling for altitude as its right wing hits the ground, followed by the plane's wing hitting a power pole, snagging its recently decommissioned power line, spinning clockwise and impacting trees, followed by a fire.

According to Transportation Safety Board (Canada) Report # AO7W0128.

1) Take-off weight did not meet performance capabilities of the Aircraft.

2) Calculations to clear 50ft obstacle were not performed.

3) Southeast end of runway, not clearly marked.

4) Take-off was attempted in an up slope direction with a slight tailwind which increased the necessary distance to clear a 50ft obstacle.

5) Center of gravity (CG) calculations were off and found to be too far forward.

6) I have issues with the engines. While doing the take-off run, the torque pressure on the left engine was @ 40psi and "TP" on the right was@ 42psi.