No fatalities

Airplane Crashes Short of Runway in Hooper Bay, Alaska (N103AQ)

Hooper Bay, United States of AmericaLanding (descent or approach)

On May 16, 1982, a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter (registration N103AQ) operated by Gifford Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Hooper Bay, United States of America during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the flightcrew's failure to compute and properly interpret the airplane's weight and balance and their operation of the airplane with the center of gravity… This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 6 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary report: the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archiveUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

An airplane crashed 1,320 feet short of runway 13 at Hooper Bay, Alaska, during a landing approach in visual conditions. The aircraft sustained substantial damage; all eight occupants were seriously injured.

Accident

On the day of the accident, the airplane was attempting to land at Hooper Bay, Alaska. During the approach in visual meteorological conditions, the aircraft crashed 1,320 feet short of the threshold of runway 13. It came to rest on hard-packed snow and ice approximately 700 feet from the edge of the Bering Sea. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, but no fire occurred.

Injuries

Both pilots and all six passengers suffered serious injuries in the accident.

Probable Cause

The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the probable cause of this accident was the flightcrew's failure to compute and properly interpret the airplane's weight and balance and their operation of the airplane with the center of gravity substantially aft of its authorized limit, which resulted in loss of control of the airplane during a landing attempt.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 16 May 1982 De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter accident near Hooper Bay, United States of America?

An airplane crashed 1,320 feet short of runway 13 at Hooper Bay, Alaska, during a landing approach in visual conditions. The aircraft sustained substantial damage; all eight occupants were seriously injured.

Were there any fatalities in the 16 May 1982 De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 16 May 1982 involved a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter, registration N103AQ, operated by Gifford Aviation, at Hooper Bay, United States of America.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the flightcrew's failure to compute and properly interpret the airplane's weight and balance and their operation of the airplane with the center of gravity substantially aft of its authorized limit which resulted in loss…