FAA Issues Emergency AD for de Havilland Otters

The emergency AD affects turbine de Havilland DHC-3 Otters. (Not the accident aircraft.) [Courtesy: Julie Boatman]

The FAA has issued an emergency airworthiness directive (AD) for owners and operators of de Havilland Canada DHC–3 Otters in response to multiple recent reports of cracks in the left-hand elevator auxiliary spar.

According to the AD, the FAA analysis of the reports indicates immediate AD action is warranted.

"The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and address cracks, corrosion, and previous repairs to the left-hand elevator auxiliary spar,” the AD continues. "The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in elevator flutter leading to elevator failure, with consequent loss of control of the airplane."

The AD requires repetitive detailed visual inspections of the entire left-hand elevator auxiliary spar for cracks, corrosion, and previous repairs, and—depending on the findings—replacement of the entire elevator auxiliary spar assembly. This AD also requires sending the inspection results to the FAA.

In addition to the inspection, the AD (2022-21-51) mandates the replacement of the elevator auxiliary spar if necessary, on all de Havilland Canada DHC–3 Otters.

The AD states "The FAA considers this AD to be an interim action. If final action is later identified, the FAA might consider further rulemaking."

How We Got Here

The emergency AD was issued approximately one month after the crash of a Northwest Seaplanes deHavilland DHC-3 Turbine Otter that killed 10 people. The Otter was flying between Friday Harbor and Renton on September 4 at an altitude of approximately 600 feet over the water off of Whidbey Island, Washington, when it suddenly plunged into the water.

READ MORE: Seaplane Wreckage Found in Puget Sound

For the past two weeks the Navy has been using a barge and remotely operated vehicles to recover the wreckage, which came to rest more than 150 feet below the surface. Approximately 80 percent of the wreckage–-including several large components—have been recovered.

The remains of seven victims have been recovered from the wreckage. One woman was pulled from the water immediately after the accident. Others were removed from beneath the waves. Two weeks after the event, a female torso was found on a beach a few miles from the crash site. The body was identified as a victim from the floatplane accident. Three passengers remain unaccounted for.

Meg GodlewskiAuthor

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.