DH3 Otter Sept 4, 2022
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DH3 Otter Sept 4, 2022
An Otter float plane has crashed in Puget Sound north of Seattle with 10 persons aboard. Looks like no survivors. Cause unclear at this time.
Otter crash
Otter crash
Gnome de PPRuNe
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Plane could have been caught in turbulence or even a microburst that could have directly caused the crash or caused structural breakup. Plane was 55 years old and operated in salt water conditions.
"An inexperienced seaplane passenger" being concerned about turbulence while "the pilot looked relaxed" and "other passengers were calm" does not indicate severe turbulence.
SkyGod
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According to Flight Radar the plane came down at almost 8,000 feet per minute, from 1,500 feet that would be about 12 seconds.
IF that is the case something important must have fallen off the Otter.
I flew seaplanes in salt water, didn't like it a bit, quit after 6 months.
IF that is the case something important must have fallen off the Otter.
I flew seaplanes in salt water, didn't like it a bit, quit after 6 months.
If I was an Otter operator, I'd be having a very close look at the pitch trim and elevator linkages.
NTSB will likely pull it up to have a close look for missing and broken pieces in the control runs. I don't know about the water depth, but there's considerable tidal currents that will complicate and likely prolong salvage.
NTSB will likely pull it up to have a close look for missing and broken pieces in the control runs. I don't know about the water depth, but there's considerable tidal currents that will complicate and likely prolong salvage.
It's being reported that the wreckage has been located in ~190 ft. of water. Conditions are rather nasty - 3 to 5 knot current, with poor visibility. At least for the time being they plan to do the recover with remotely operated equipment.
Recovery underway - reportedly ~80% of the wreckage (and some bodies) recovered.
Bodies, majority of wreckage recovered from Whidbey Island plane crash | The Seattle Times
Bodies, majority of wreckage recovered from Whidbey Island plane crash | The Seattle Times
FAA Issues Emergency AD for de Havilland OttersThe airworthiness directive focuses on cracks in the elevator auxiliary spar.
AD can be downloaded here:
https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExte...lOpened%3Dtrue
Inspection required within 10 hours or three days.
I wonder why inspection of the right-hand elevator is not required.
https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExte...lOpened%3Dtrue
Inspection required within 10 hours or three days.
This Emergency AD was prompted by multiple recent reports of cracks in the left-hand
elevator auxiliary spar
elevator auxiliary spar
The left elevator has a trim tab that moves dependent on flap selection, connected mechanically to the flaps, normal pitch trim is by means of the usual hand wheel that alters tailplane incidence.
An interesting review of Otter loss-of-control accidents:
https://www.aviationlawgroup.com/ott...tch-movements/
The article states that the elevator tabs are servo tabs.
I've found a copy of the POH online and it confirms Megan's observation that the left "trim" tab is adjusted during flap selection. The POH does not specifically mention that the tabs are servo tabs, except in a "walk-around" illustration.
![](https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1700x374/tailplane_f075ff01294a5c9f1a89da03b8de8a32051427a6.png)
![](https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1368x447/wing_flaps_cdfd0d4b94d971d82a35ca980dcd5a370a4ad621.png)
![](https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/980x868/walk_around_e19193af4c74c97600bdcdf78cc41629119a2624.png)
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/12...c-3-Otter.html
https://www.aviationlawgroup.com/ott...tch-movements/
The article states that the elevator tabs are servo tabs.
I've found a copy of the POH online and it confirms Megan's observation that the left "trim" tab is adjusted during flap selection. The POH does not specifically mention that the tabs are servo tabs, except in a "walk-around" illustration.
![](https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1700x374/tailplane_f075ff01294a5c9f1a89da03b8de8a32051427a6.png)
![](https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1368x447/wing_flaps_cdfd0d4b94d971d82a35ca980dcd5a370a4ad621.png)
![](https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/980x868/walk_around_e19193af4c74c97600bdcdf78cc41629119a2624.png)
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/12...c-3-Otter.html
Last edited by India Four Two; 11th Oct 2022 at 18:54. Reason: Added images
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Ask Atlas Air about their Houston 767 crash.