Narrative:
Strong winds were reported at Flotta as the Twin Otter approached Orkney Island. The aircraft first contacted the airport at 11:56, and was informed
that the surface wind was indicating 260deg/26 knots. The pilot accordingly elected to make a straight in approach to runway 35. The pilot preferred the cross-wind to come from his left-hand side, so that he could 'see' the left mainwheel onto the runway. The aircraft touched down left mainwheel first, then on the right mainwheel and, as the nosewheel touched, the commander selected reverse thrust from the propellers. As the aircraft touched down, the audible stall warning sounded momentarily. Shortly after reverse thrust from the propellers had been selected and achieved, the aircrafts left wing started to rise. The captain applied full left wing down aileron and full left rudder, then cancelling reverse thrust from the right-hand propeller and increasing forward power on that engine.
However, he was still unable to prevent the left wing from rising further. The right-hand wing-tip contacted the ground, the aircraft yawed to the right and
then fell back momentarily onto the main wheels before cartwheeling through an aerodrome boundary fence and coming to rest on its left side, with both wings detached.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The accident was caused by a loss of control, shortly after touchdown, following a strong lateral gust which was in excess of the maximum cross-wind capability of the aircraft. The lack of accurate surface wind information at the runway threshold was a contributory factor."
accident date: 20-04-1983
type: de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300
registration: G-STUD
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Wednesday 20 April 1983 |
| Time: | 12:00 UTC |
| Type: |  de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 310 |
| Operator: | Air Ecosse |
| Registration: | G-STUD |
| MSN: | 545 |
| First flight: | 1977 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 7000 |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 10 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 12 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | Flotta Airport (FLH) ( United Kingdom)
|
| Phase: | Landing (LDG) |
| Nature: | Domestic Non Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Aberdeen-Dyce Airport (ABZ/EGPD), United Kingdom |
| Flotta Airport (FLH), United Kingdom |
Strong winds were reported at Flotta as the Twin Otter approached Orkney Island. The aircraft first contacted the airport at 11:56, and was informed
that the surface wind was indicating 260deg/26 knots. The pilot accordingly elected to make a straight in approach to runway 35. The pilot preferred the cross-wind to come from his left-hand side, so that he could 'see' the left mainwheel onto the runway. The aircraft touched down left mainwheel first, then on the right mainwheel and, as the nosewheel touched, the commander selected reverse thrust from the propellers. As the aircraft touched down, the audible stall warning sounded momentarily. Shortly after reverse thrust from the propellers had been selected and achieved, the aircrafts left wing started to rise. The captain applied full left wing down aileron and full left rudder, then cancelling reverse thrust from the right-hand propeller and increasing forward power on that engine.
However, he was still unable to prevent the left wing from rising further. The right-hand wing-tip contacted the ground, the aircraft yawed to the right and
then fell back momentarily onto the main wheels before cartwheeling through an aerodrome boundary fence and coming to rest on its left side, with both wings detached.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The accident was caused by a loss of control, shortly after touchdown, following a strong lateral gust which was in excess of the maximum cross-wind capability of the aircraft. The lack of accurate surface wind information at the runway threshold was a contributory factor."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Loss of control
Follow-up / safety actions
AAIB issued 2 Safety Recommendations
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Photos
accident date: 20-04-1983
type: de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300
registration: G-STUD
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Aberdeen-Dyce Airport to Flotta Airport as the crow flies is 188 km (117 miles).
Accident location: Exact; deduced from official accident report.
Distance from Aberdeen-Dyce Airport to Flotta Airport as the crow flies is 188 km (117 miles).
Accident location: Exact; deduced from official accident report.
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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