No fatalities

1990-04-03: De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter (PK-NUQ) — Merpati Nusantara Airlines - MNA — Labuan Bajo, Indonesia

Labuan Bajo, IndonesiaTakeoff (climb)

On April 3, 1990, a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter (registration PK-NUQ) operated by Merpati Nusantara Airlines - MNA was involved in an aviation accident near Labuan Bajo, Indonesia during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft experienced a loss of control during its initial climb due to an unexplained overspeed of the left engine. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781213036Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft experienced an engine overspeed during its initial climb, leading to a crash in a ravine near Labuan Bajo-Mutiara Airport.

What happened

During the departure phase from Labuan Bajo-Mutiara Airport, the aircraft encountered a mechanical failure involving the left engine. While performing the initial climb, the left engine entered an overspeed condition. In response to this malfunction, the crew attempted to perform an emergency landing.

During the descent and subsequent maneuvers, the aircraft made contact with rocks before ultimately crashing into a ravine. The incident resulted in 17 injuries among the occupants, though no fatalities were reported.

Findings

The investigation determined that the primary factor in the accident was a loss of control during the climb phase, which occurred immediately following the uncommanded overspeed of the left engine.

Probable cause

The aircraft experienced a loss of control during its initial climb due to an unexplained overspeed of the left engine.