Monday, February 11, 2008
Steve's "Otter Of The Week"!......by Karl E. Hayes
RCAF "cross-country" training flights and "Otters". Bad, bad mix!
All information is from Karl Hayes' "masterful" CD entitled:
De Havilland Canada
DHC-3 OTTER
A HISTORY
CONTACT KARL, CD PRICING and ORDERING INFO - De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER - A HISTORY by Karl E. Hayes
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Otter 399
Otter 399 was delivered to the RCAF on 8th November 1960 with serial 9419. It was assigned to 443 Squadron at RCAF Station Sea Island, Vancouver on amphibious floats. It is mentioned in the unit history on 21st January 1962, on something of a false alarm. Smoke had been reported near Sheringham Point, and 9419 was sent to investigate, as were a USAF Albatross and a helicopter from Seattle. It turned out to be smoke bombs which had been dropped by an RCN Tracker aircraft. On 21st February 1964, 9419 suffered engine failure and had to put down on Montaque Harbour. It was towed by the rescue boat 'Skua' to Patricia Bay for repair.
The following month, after more than three years service with 443 Squadron, 9419 flew east across the country and joined 401 Squadron at St.Hubert, Montreal. It was to remain with that unit for the remainder of its career. It was involved in another minor incident on a cross country training flight on 16th May 1965, at which stage it was still on amphibious floats. During a water take-off, the Otter was allowed to swing left into wind. It left the main channel and entered relatively shallow water while still not airborne. Just before lift off, the port float struck an unseen obstacle and sustained damage. The take-off was continued and a wheel landing effected back at base at St.Hubert.
Between May and August 1967 and again in 1968, the Otter was temporarily deployed to Goose Bay, Labrador for rescue and general utility duties, before returning to St.Hubert. It continued flying for 401 Squadron until it was lost in a crash on 7th May 1970. Again, the mission was a cross-country training flight of the local area around St.Hubert, to familiarize the student with water landing areas. The first landing and take off were normal. The aircraft was then flown to the second proposed landing area. The intended landing path was inspected at low altitude, followed by a landing into wind. The aircraft was then turned downwind and taxied back in preparation for a take-off. The takeoff was initiated with normal power and flap settings for the prevailing conditions. About the time the floats started to clear the water, the left wing started to rise. The right float dug into the water, bringing the right wing down into contact with the water. The aircraft cartwheeled to the right, coming to rest inverted with the nose and cockpit submerged. The crew of four rapidly evacuated the aircraft and there were no injuries. The wrecked Otter was first taken back to St.Hubert and the following month was brought to the Mountain View depot, Ontario where it was “reduced to spares and produce”.
- by Karl E. Hayes
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An Otter that was reduced to "bowling scores" and "carrots". How sad!
CONTACT KARL, CD PRICING and ORDERING INFO - De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER - A HISTORY by Karl E. Hayes
All information is from Karl Hayes' "masterful" CD entitled:
De Havilland Canada
DHC-3 OTTER
A HISTORY
CONTACT KARL, CD PRICING and ORDERING INFO - De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER - A HISTORY by Karl E. Hayes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Otter 399
Otter 399 was delivered to the RCAF on 8th November 1960 with serial 9419. It was assigned to 443 Squadron at RCAF Station Sea Island, Vancouver on amphibious floats. It is mentioned in the unit history on 21st January 1962, on something of a false alarm. Smoke had been reported near Sheringham Point, and 9419 was sent to investigate, as were a USAF Albatross and a helicopter from Seattle. It turned out to be smoke bombs which had been dropped by an RCN Tracker aircraft. On 21st February 1964, 9419 suffered engine failure and had to put down on Montaque Harbour. It was towed by the rescue boat 'Skua' to Patricia Bay for repair.
The following month, after more than three years service with 443 Squadron, 9419 flew east across the country and joined 401 Squadron at St.Hubert, Montreal. It was to remain with that unit for the remainder of its career. It was involved in another minor incident on a cross country training flight on 16th May 1965, at which stage it was still on amphibious floats. During a water take-off, the Otter was allowed to swing left into wind. It left the main channel and entered relatively shallow water while still not airborne. Just before lift off, the port float struck an unseen obstacle and sustained damage. The take-off was continued and a wheel landing effected back at base at St.Hubert.
Between May and August 1967 and again in 1968, the Otter was temporarily deployed to Goose Bay, Labrador for rescue and general utility duties, before returning to St.Hubert. It continued flying for 401 Squadron until it was lost in a crash on 7th May 1970. Again, the mission was a cross-country training flight of the local area around St.Hubert, to familiarize the student with water landing areas. The first landing and take off were normal. The aircraft was then flown to the second proposed landing area. The intended landing path was inspected at low altitude, followed by a landing into wind. The aircraft was then turned downwind and taxied back in preparation for a take-off. The takeoff was initiated with normal power and flap settings for the prevailing conditions. About the time the floats started to clear the water, the left wing started to rise. The right float dug into the water, bringing the right wing down into contact with the water. The aircraft cartwheeled to the right, coming to rest inverted with the nose and cockpit submerged. The crew of four rapidly evacuated the aircraft and there were no injuries. The wrecked Otter was first taken back to St.Hubert and the following month was brought to the Mountain View depot, Ontario where it was “reduced to spares and produce”.
- by Karl E. Hayes
---------------------------------------------------------------------
An Otter that was reduced to "bowling scores" and "carrots". How sad!
CONTACT KARL, CD PRICING and ORDERING INFO - De Havilland DHC-3 OTTER - A HISTORY by Karl E. Hayes
