What happened
On August 9, 2025, at approximately 12:40 Pacific daylight time, a DE HAVILLAND DHC-6-300, registration N189GC, was involved in an accident near Whitmore, Arizona. The aircraft was operating as a Part 135 on-demand air taxi flight, traveling from Boulder City Municipal Airport (BVU) in Nevada to Grand Canyon Bar Ten Airstrip (1Z1) to deliver passengers for a river tour.
Prior to arrival, the crew noted wind conditions at Grand Canyon West airport (1G4) indicated winds from 270 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 22 knots. After consulting with another pilot in the area, the crew decided to land on runway 16 to better manage terrain clearance in the event of a go-around.
The captain reported that the final approach was stable and on centerline. Upon touchdown between 500 and 1,000 feet beyond the runway threshold, the pilot maintained directional control using right aileron and left rudder while reducing engine power to the zero-thrust position. As the aircraft reached the runway midpoint, the pilot felt the airplane being "pushed," prompting full left rudder input. The aircraft then departed the paved surface to the right and entered the dirt edge of the runway.
As the aircraft traveled through the gravel area, the pilot applied aft control yoke to prevent the nose gear from digging into a ditch. The left wingtip subsequently struck the runway, and the aircraft began a sharp right turn. The airplane then struck a deep ditch located just beyond and to the right of the runway departure end, where it came to rest upright.
There were 6 minor injuries reported among the passengers. The captain, first officer, and the remaining eight passengers were not injured.