Accident Overview
During a local topdressing flight, a DHC-2 Beaver crashed in a field after the pilot lost control. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, the sole occupant, was killed. The investigation concluded that the fin and rudder had rolled approximately 90 degrees and came to rest horizontally on the tailplane and elevator, immediately depriving the pilot of vertical and directional control. Given the low altitude, recovery was impossible.
Cause of the Accident
The probable cause of the accident was loss of control after the fin attachment bolts failed in flight. The aircraft was part-way through an agricultural procedure turn, likely pulling 2G or more, when the bolts failed.
Inspection and Airworthiness Directive
The wreckage was beyond economic repair. However, the investigation prompted a fleet-wide inspection of all fin attachment bolts on DHC-2 Beavers. Some worn or cracked bolts were found. An Airworthiness Directive was immediately issued, grounding all DHC-2 Beavers until inspections and bolt replacements were completed.
Operational Context
The DHC-2 Beaver, though built as a rugged bush aircraft, was subjected to repeated overload operations from rough agricultural airstrips and high aerodynamic G forces during daily agricultural operations, which likely contributed to the bolt failure.