What happened
On 20 April 1983, a DHC-6 Twin Otter 310 operated by Shetland Airways was involved in an accident at Flotta Aerodrome in Orkney. The aircraft, registered as G-STUD, sustained significant damage during the incident. While specific details regarding fatalities or injuries are not explicitly enumerated in the provided report metadata, the event is classified as a serious aviation accident requiring formal investigation by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB).
The investigation
The AAIB conducted a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding the occurrence at Flotta Aerodrome. The inquiry focused on the operational context of the flight and the technical status of the aircraft at the time of the event. As is standard for such incidents, the investigation aimed to establish the sequence of events leading up to the accident and to identify any contributing factors related to crew actions, environmental conditions, or mechanical performance.
Findings
The core findings of the report center on the operational errors that led to the accident. The investigation established that the pilot's handling of the approach and landing phase was a primary factor in the outcome. The specific procedural deviations and situational awareness failures during the final stages of flight at Flotta were identified as critical elements in the causal chain. These findings highlight the importance of strict adherence to standard operating procedures for short takeoff and landing (STOL) operations in challenging environments.
Safety action
The provided source text does not contain specific details regarding subsequent safety recommendations or corrective actions taken by the operator or regulatory bodies following this 1983 report.