Just saw the video on the news here tonight and I am extremely saddened.
I have a couple thousand hours Twin Otter on floats and several thousand more on wheels and all I can say is that seeing that video on the news here tonight has been one of the most distressing I have seen and reminds me of one of the main reasons I got out of the float game.
Structural failure was the biggest worry I have ever had having seen how some of the aircraft we flew were cleaned. Little wonder DHC mandated stainless control cables. I later flew the –6 Island hopping and even their we washed the bird at the end of every day.
Where ever or for whatever reason….. once that wing let go it was game over.
I love old planes and I love the sea but unfortunately they don’t mix, nothing will replace the Mallard, or even the Twin Otter on the few remaining niche jobs that exist and require these specialised machines.
Condolences to all involved