De Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter, N560TR: Accident occurred August 21, 2021 in Bettles, Alaska

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Fairbanks, Alaska

Jespersen Aircraft Services Inc

https://registry.faa.gov/N560TR

Location: Bettles, Alaska

Accident Number: ANC21LA094

Date and Time: August 21, 2021, 13:25 Local

Registration: N560TR

Aircraft: DEHAVILLAND DHC-3 

Injuries: 3 None

Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air taxi and commuter - Non-scheduled

On August 21, 2021, about 1325 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped, de Havilland DHC-3 Otter airplane, N560TR, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Bettles, Alaska. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 commercial flight.

The pilot reported that while on a base leg approach to land at a remote lake, there was a “loud bang”, and the engine lost all power. Unable to reach the intended lake, he turned the airplane into the wind and selected an area of tundra-covered terrain as an emergency, forced landing site. Subsequently, during the forced landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

The airplane was equipped with a PZL ASZ-621R-M18 engine. The airplane has been recovered and a detailed examination is pending.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: DEHAVILLAND 

Registration: N560TR

Model/Series: DHC-3 

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Amateur Built:

Operator:

Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand air taxi (135), Commercial air tour (136) Operator Designator Code: SQDA

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation:

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Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,

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Destination:

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries: 2 None

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries:

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 3 None

Latitude, Longitude: 68.07526,-155.83897 (est)