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2022 Mutiny Bay DHC-3 Otter crash

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On September 4, 2022, a DHC-3 Turbine Otter single-engine floatplane on a passenger flight from Friday Harbor to Renton, Washington, U.S., crashed into the waters of Mutiny Bay near Whidbey Island, killing all ten people on board.[1][2][3] The plane was operated by West Isle Air doing business as Friday Harbor Seaplanes, a service owned by Northwest Seaplanes.[4][5]

2022 Mutiny Bay DHC-3 Otter crash
N725TH, the DHC-3 Turbine Otter involved in the accident
Accident
DateSeptember 4, 2022 (2022-09-04)
SummaryLoss of pitch control due to Mechanical failure caused by maintenance error
SiteMutiny Bay, Washington, U.S.
Aircraft
Aircraft typeDHC-3 Turbine Otter
OperatorWest Isle Air operated for Friday Harbor Seaplanes
RegistrationN725TH
Flight originFriday Harbor Seaplane Base, Friday Harbor, Washington, U.S.
DestinationRenton Municipal Airport, Renton, Washington, U.S.
Passengers9
Crew1
Fatalities10
Survivors0

Accident

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The plane departed at 14:50 Pacific Daylight Time (21:50 UTC) from Friday Harbor and was en route to Renton Municipal Airport when reports of the crash came in at 15:11 PDT (22:11 UTC).[6] Witnesses recalled a chaotic scene, with strong gasoline smells and said the impact "disintegrated" the airplane.[7]

Before the plane crashed, Northwest Seaplanes noticed a slight shift in its direction compared to the flight plan and attempted to contact the pilot. Northwest Seaplanes called emergency responders after receiving no response, and soon after, witnesses called 911 to report that the plane had nosedived into the water at high speed.[8][4]

Aircraft

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The 56-year-old de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter was manufactured in 1967 by Canadian aircraft company De Havilland Canada and issued serial number 466.

Prior to being registered in the United States, the aircraft was registered C-FVQD in Canada, having been acquired and operated by several Canadian airlines, charter operators, and private owners during the first 46 years of its lifespan.

The Canadian Civil Aircraft Register shows the aircraft's Canadian registration was cancelled on November 22, 2013, and the aircraft was subsequently exported to the United States on March 6, 2014.[9]

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records show the aircraft was purchased in the United States by a private individual in early 2014, registered N725TH, and issued airworthiness in the United States on May 12, 2014. The aircraft was most recently registered to Northwest Seaplanes Inc., its registered owner at the time of the crash.[10]

Victims

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All victims were American.[11] The sole crew member was pilot Jason Winters, who had decades of experience.[11] The dead include Washington civil rights activist Sandy Williams, founder and editor of Black Lens News,[12] as well as actress Megan Hilty's pregnant sister, brother-in-law, and nephew.[13]

Investigation

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Horizontal stabilizer actuator clamp nut and upper end of barrel section as found in the wreckage

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) opened an investigation into the crash and was joined by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration vessels in the search for wreckage.[14] A side-scan sonar was deployed by the University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory and discovered large debris 190 feet (58 m) below the surface that were identified as being similar to the plane.[15] The NTSB worked with the US Navy to recover the wreckage using an ROV and a recovery barge.[16]

The aircraft had no flight data recorder nor a cockpit voice recorder, and was not required to carry them. It was, however, equipped with a Ground Proximity Warning System.[17] It had just passed a 100-hour inspection before the crash. Further recovery efforts took place on September 26, 2022;[18] this search resulted in most of the wreckage and multiple bodies being recovered.[19]

On October 24, 2022, the NTSB released an update to its investigation, stating that the horizontal stabilizer actuator had separated into two pieces at a threaded assembly fitting, which could be a contributing factor to the crash. The NTSB said that the actuator lock ring was missing from the wreckage.[20][21] On October 25, 2022, Viking Air issued a service letter requiring DHC-3 Otter operators to inspect the aircraft and verify that the lock ring is properly installed.[22]

The next day, on October 26, 2022, the NTSB issued urgent safety recommendations to the FAA and Transport Canada urging all DHC-3 Otter operators to inspect the horizontal stabilizer actuator lock ring and report their findings to the respective agencies.[23] The NTSB also recommended the immediate grounding of all DHC-3 seaplanes until further notice, citing concern that more will crash.[24]

Final report

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On September 29, 2023, the NTSB released its final report on the crash, stating that the probable cause was the loss of control of the plane due to the unthreading of the clamp nut from the horizontal stabilizer trim actuator barrel due to a missing lock ring, which resulted in the horizontal stabilizer moving to an extreme trailing-edge-down position rendering the airplane’s pitch uncontrollable.[25][17]

References

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  1. ^ Pietsch, Bryan (September 5, 2022). "Puget Sound plane crash kills at least 1, with 9 missing". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  2. ^ "1 dead, 9 missing after floatplane crashes in Puget Sound". Mercury News. September 5, 2022. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  3. ^ "Details emerge after deadly Whidbey Island floatplane crash". The Seattle Times. September 6, 2022. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
  4. ^ a b "PSome indication floatplane took a nosedive before crashing into Puget Sound, NTSB says". King5. September 6, 2022. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  5. ^ "10 dead in Puget Sound floatplane crash". PBS. September 6, 2022. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
  6. ^ "U.S. Coast Guard releases names of Washington plane crash victims". axios. September 6, 2022. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
  7. ^ "Witness to deadly floatplane crash in Puget Sound describes moments before, after impact". KING 5 News. September 6, 2022. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
  8. ^ "Seattle-area plane crash: 2 Minnesotans among 10 victims". FOX 9. September 6, 2022. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
  9. ^ "C-FVQD". Canadian Aircraft Civil Register. September 7, 2022. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  10. ^ "N725TH". FAA Registry N-Number Inquiry. September 7, 2022. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  11. ^ a b "Whidbey Island floatplane crash: Here's what we know". King 5. September 10, 2022. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
  12. ^ "Spokane civil rights activist Sandy Williams was aboard plane that crashed in Puget Sound". Spokesman-Review. September 5, 2022. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  13. ^ "Megan Hilty's Pregnant Sister, Brother-in-Law and Their Child Die in Plane Crash". Yahoo News. September 6, 2022. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
  14. ^ "NTSB, NOAA continue search for floatplane wreckage in Puget Sound". KIRO News. September 9, 2022. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
  15. ^ Taylor, Sarah Grace (September 12, 2022). "Floatplane wreckage located in Mutiny Bay". The Seattle Times. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
  16. ^ Varley, Len (September 18, 2022). "NTSB & Navy to Recover Wreckage of Mutiny Bay Plane Crash". Aviation Source. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  17. ^ a b "Aviation Investigation Preliminary Report". National Transportation Safety Board. September 16, 2022. DCA22MA193. Retrieved November 8, 2022.   This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  18. ^ "Plane that crashed in Mutiny Bay was recently serviced, did not have flight recorder". Spokesman. September 16, 2022. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  19. ^ Taylor, Sarah Grace (September 29, 2022). "Most of Whidbey Island Plane Crash Wreckage Recovered". The Seattle Times. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  20. ^ "NTSB report points to separated actuator in Mutiny Bay floatplane crash that killed 10". komonews. October 24, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  21. ^ "Aircraft Accident Investigative Update" (PDF). National Transportation Safety Board. October 24, 2022. DCA22MA193. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  22. ^ "DHC-3 Stabilizer Actuator Lock Ring – Special Inspection" (PDF). Viking Air. October 25, 2022. DHC3-SL-27-001. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  23. ^ "Require Immediate One-Time Inspection of De Havilland Canada DHC-3 Horizontal Stabilizer Actuator" (PDF). National Transportation Safety Board. October 24, 2022. AIR-22-08. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  24. ^ "After Whidbey Crash, NTSB Wants Otter Seaplanes Grounded Pending Inspection". Aviation Pros. October 25, 2022. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  25. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident de Havilland Canada DHC-3T Turbine Otter N725TH Freeland, WA". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved December 10, 2023.

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