Accident Overview
A DHC-3 Otter aircraft was involved in an accident during take-off from a gravel bar along the edge of the Duke of York River. The aircraft became airborne but did not gain sufficient altitude. Shortly thereafter, it contacted a steep gravel river bank, made a shallow right turn, settled into the river, and slowly nosed over, coming to rest inverted in three to four feet of water.
Sequence of Events
The take-off was initiated from an uncleared, austere airstrip of unknown exact useable length. The aircraft was at or near maximum allowable gross weight, and wind conditions were unfavourable. After becoming airborne, the Otter failed to climb and struck the river bank. It then turned right and ended up inverted in the water.
Occupants and Outcome
Two crew members and five passengers were on board. All were hanging upside down, still strapped into their seats, as water poured into the cabin. They managed to free themselves and wade ashore. No further information on injuries or fatalities is available from the source.
Official Findings
The accident report found that the pilot elected to take off from an “uncleared, austere airstrip” of unknown exact useable length, in unfavourable wind conditions, at or near maximum allowable gross weight. The aircraft captain had failed to brief his co-pilot and assign him the task of monitoring the cockpit instruments during the critical phase of the take-off. The air detachment commander was required to fly as a line pilot on a regular basis. This, together with being subordinate in rank to the Otter detachment commander, made effective control of flying operations virtually impossible.