De Havilland DHC-3 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 35 events recorded from 1982 to 2008.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 28, 2008 | Talkeetna, AK | N565TA | Incident | substantial | The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing site, which resulted in an overload failure of the tail ski assembly during the landing roll. |
| Sep 02, 2006 | Wainwright, AK | N3125N | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for wind conditions during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of control, and subsequent collisio…The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for wind conditions during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of control, and subsequent collision with a ditch when the airplane departed the runway. A factor contributing to the accident was a crosswind. |
| Jul 31, 2006 | Juneau, AK | N93356 | Serious (1) | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance during approach, which resulted in the airplane impacting the surface of the water. Factors associ…The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance during approach, which resulted in the airplane impacting the surface of the water. Factors associated with the accident were the flat-light and glassy water conditions, which affected the pilot's ability to see the surface of the water. |
| Jun 01, 2006 | Port Townsend, WA | N606KA | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's misjudgment of the airplane's height above the water during a precautionary landing which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing factor…The pilot's misjudgment of the airplane's height above the water during a precautionary landing which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing factors were glassy water conditions, fog, and the pilot's inadvertent VFR flight into IMC. |
| Jul 28, 2005 | Ketchikan, AK | N6868B | Serious (1) | minor |
An electrical arc on the exterior of a fuel pressure line that initiated a fuel leak and fire during cruise flight, which resulted in serious injuries…An electrical arc on the exterior of a fuel pressure line that initiated a fuel leak and fire during cruise flight, which resulted in serious injuries to the pilot as he performed an emergency landing on the water. A factor contributing to the accident was an inadequate annual inspection of the airplane by company maintenance personnel. |
| Aug 28, 2004 | McGrath, AK | N197TT | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision making, his continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to main…The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision making, his continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. Factors contributing to the accident were low ceilings due to smoke, rain, and mist. |
| Dec 28, 2002 | Nikolai, AK | N3904 | Incident | substantial |
An improper and undocumented major repair of the elevator torque tube support assembly by an unknown person, which resulted in an in-flight disconnect…An improper and undocumented major repair of the elevator torque tube support assembly by an unknown person, which resulted in an in-flight disconnection of the airplane's right elevator, and a jammed rudder. A factor associated with the accident is the inadequate inspection of the airplane by company maintenance personnel. |
| Sep 04, 2002 | TENAKEE SPRINGS, AK | N335AK | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's misjudgment of the airplane's speed/distance from a dock resulting in the airplane drifting into a wooden piling during a taxi from landin…The pilot's misjudgment of the airplane's speed/distance from a dock resulting in the airplane drifting into a wooden piling during a taxi from landing. A factor in the accident was the presence of a tidal current. |
| Aug 19, 2002 | Ketchikan, AK | N409PA | Incident | minor | The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual outlook during cruise climb, which resulted in a midair collision between the two airplanes. |
| Sep 07, 2001 | Cordova, AK | N254AW | Minor | substantial | The loss of engine power during cruise due to the fracture of an engine cylinder exhaust valve. |
| Mar 31, 2001 | Decatur, TX | N120BA | Serious (5) | substantial |
the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the takeoff/initial climb. Contributing factors were the pilot's exceeding aircraft weight an…the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the takeoff/initial climb. Contributing factors were the pilot's exceeding aircraft weight and balance limits and the dust devil. |
| Aug 20, 1999 | PORT ALSWORTH, AK | N888KA | Incident | substantial | The pilot's inadvertent retraction of the trailing edge flaps during the takeoff run. |
| Apr 27, 1999 | HEALY, AK | N3125N | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's selection of an unsafe/hazardous area for landing. Factors in the accident were the presence of a tail wind, the pilot's inadequate evalu…The pilot's selection of an unsafe/hazardous area for landing. Factors in the accident were the presence of a tail wind, the pilot's inadequate evaluation of the wind conditions, and a narrow airstrip. |
| Jul 14, 1995 | KETCHIKAN, AK | N472PM | Incident | substantial | THE CRACKS IN THE TRAILING EDGE OF THE ELEVATOR SERVO TAB, WHICH RESULTED IN ITS SUBSEQUENT FAILURE AND PARTIAL SEPARATION. |
| Mar 28, 1995 | SELAWIK, AK | N44NB | Incident | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Jun 23, 1994 | JUNEAU, AK | N13GA | Fatal (7) | substantial |
VFR FLIGHT BY THE PILOT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC), AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE (CLEARANCE) ABOVE THE SURFACE OF THE RIV…VFR FLIGHT BY THE PILOT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC), AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE (CLEARANCE) ABOVE THE SURFACE OF THE RIVER. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND THE SURFACE CONDITION OF THE RIVER (GLASSY WATER). |
| Aug 19, 1993 | NIKABUNA LAKE, AK | N321KA | Minor | destroyed |
FLUID, FUEL STARVATION AS A RESULT OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE OPERATOR'S INADEQ…FLUID, FUEL STARVATION AS A RESULT OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE OPERATOR'S INADEQUATE FLIGHT TIME AND FUEL UPLOAD RECORD KEEPING. |
| Jul 22, 1992 | MCGRATH, AK | N41755 | Incident | substantial | THE FIRE IN THE ENGINE ACCESSORY DRIVE ASSEMBLY. FACTOR WAS THE ROUGH AN UNEVEN FORCED LANDING AREA. |
| Feb 04, 1992 | METLAKATLA, AK | N13GA | Incident | substantial | TOTAL FAILURE OF THE RIVETS ATTACHING THE TRIM TAB CONTROL HORN TO THE RIGHT ELEVATOR TRIM TAB. |
| Jan 28, 1991 | NOME, AK | N212NY | Serious (2) | substantial |
THE FAILURE OF THE 1, 2, 6, 7, 8 AND 9 PISTON LINKRODS WHICH WERE BROKEN AT THE MASTER ROD ATTACH END. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ROUGH, UN…THE FAILURE OF THE 1, 2, 6, 7, 8 AND 9 PISTON LINKRODS WHICH WERE BROKEN AT THE MASTER ROD ATTACH END. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ROUGH, UNEVEN TERRAIN. |
| Sep 23, 1990 | KING SALMON, AK | N5322G | Incident | substantial | THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRPLANE CONTROL DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, AND FAILURE OF NOT ATTAINING AIRSPEED ON TAKEOFF. |
| Jun 30, 1990 | BEAVER VILLAGE, AK | N17689 | Minor | substantial | MECHANICAL FAILURE OF AN EXHAUST ROCKER ARM. |
| Sep 02, 1989 | SHEENJEK RIVER, AK | N17689 | Incident | substantial |
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO GO AROUND WHEN HE WAS UNABLE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT AND HIS EXCESSIVE APPLICATION OF BRAKES DURING THE LANDING. …FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO GO AROUND WHEN HE WAS UNABLE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT AND HIS EXCESSIVE APPLICATION OF BRAKES DURING THE LANDING. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: THE DOWNDRAFT, EXCESSIVE REMEDIAL ACTION, AND SOFT TERRAIN. |
| Jun 20, 1989 | PALMER, AK | N41755 | Incident | — | INADEQUATE LUBRICATION WHICH RESULTED IN THE FAILURE OF THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER'S TRIM ACTUATOR. |
| Feb 10, 1989 | FAIRBANKS, AK | N5056Q | Incident | substantial | FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO REMOVE FROST FROM THE AIRCRAFT. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: IMPROPER WEIGHT AND BALANCE AND SNOW COVERED TERRAIN. |