West Coast Air Flight 608 Water Impact (C-GGAW)

Incident Overview and Immediate Sequence of Events On a regularly scheduled flight designated Coast 608, a de Havilland DHC-6-100 float-equipped Twin Otter (serial number 086) operated by West Coast Air Ltd. departed Vancouver Harbour water aerodrome in British Columbia for Victoria Harbour water aerodrome at approximately 1510 Pacific standard time. The aircraft carried two crew members and 15 passengers. Shortly after lift-off, a loud bang and a noise resembling gravel striking the airframe were heard. At the same time, flames emerged from the forward section of the No. 2 (right-hand) engine, which then lost all propulsion. The aircraft was estimated to be between 50 and 100 feet above the water when the failure occurred. About 25 seconds later, the aircraft impacted the water in a nose-down, right-wing-low attitude. The right-hand float and wing detached from the fuselage during the impact. The aircraft remained upright and partially submerged, allowing occupants to evacuate through the main entrance door and the two pilot doors. They gathered on the left wing and fuselage. Within minutes, several vessels, including a public transit SeaBus, arrived. The SeaBus deployed an inflatable raft, and the occupants were taken ashore by multiple vessels and transported to hospital for observation. No serious injuries were reported. The aircraft later sank, and all wreckage was recovered within five days.