Pilot Debrief

de Havilland DHC-6-100 near Sullivan, Missouri — 2006-07-29

Final reportCHI06FA210
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Date
2006-07-29
Location
Sullivan, Missouri, USA
Aircraft
de Havilland DHC-6-100
Registration
N203E
Category
Airplane

Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed following a loss of power in the right engine due to the fracturing of compressor turbine blades for undetermined reasons. Contributing to some parachutists' injuries was the lack of a more effective restraint system on the airplane.

Contributing factors

Contributing to some parachutists' injuries was the lack of a more effective restraint system on the airplane.

NTSB narrative

On a July day in 2006, a 1967 de Havilland DHC-6-100 Twin Otter departed Sullivan Regional Airport in Sullivan, Missouri, carrying a pilot and seven skydivers. The pilot performed an intersection takeoff from Runway 24, using only about 1,700 feet of available runway. Approximately three seconds after becoming airborne, a compressor blade failure in the right Pratt & Whitney PT6A engine produced a loud bang, with smoke and flame erupting from the nacelle. The pilot feathered the failed engine but lost aircraft control, allowing the Twin Otter to drift right and the airspeed to decay until the aircraft stalled and crashed just beyond the departure end of the runway. Five of the skydivers and the pilot were killed. Two skydivers survived, one with serious injuries. Conditions were day VFR and the aircraft was operating under Part 91 rules for parachute operations.

Evidence available

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  • 50 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents50