Anniversary Statement: De Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otter, VP-FBC
This statement provides an update on the AAIB investigation into an accident involving a De Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otter, VP-FBC, which collided with obstacle on takeoff, Mount Lymburner, Antarctica, 23 January 2023.
On departure from an unprepared landing site the nose landing gear struck a small ice ridge. The commander diverted to an unmanned landing site nearby where he assessed the damage. Considering that the aircraft was safe to fly he flew it to a field station, two hours to the north. On landing at the field station, further damage was found to have occurred to the nose fairing around the landing gear and the lower forward bulkhead behind the cockpit. The investigation is ongoing, and the final report is expected to be published shortly.