Recent News
FAA Emergency AD For De Havilland Otters Raises Questions
Despite Canada finding that the corrosion and fatigue conditions constituted an unsafe condition likely to develop in other aircraft, which came out on July 19, 2018, the FAA did not issue an AD or publicly act for 4 years. Only after the accident did the FAA publish this emergency AD.
The Northwest Seaplanes Accident on Mutiny Bay: A Few Preliminary Thoughts and Legal Considerations
BY ROBERT HEDRICK, CASEY DUBOSE, KERRY KOVARIK, AND CHRIS RUSING {This article was originally published in the Washington State Bar News, October 2022. The Bar News is mailed to every attorney in the State of Washington. We are delighted that it was a featured...
Why was the accident seaplane so low?
With low cloud layers, it is not uncommon for seaplane pilots to choose lower altitudes in order to maintain VFR conditions.
The Second Tragedy: Why Haven’t The Victims Been Found And Recovered
Shortly after the accident, all available resources in the region should have been coordinated and relevant resources used for an immediate recovery.
History of DHC-3 Otter Reflects Flight Control Related Accident History
There are 37 incidents and accidents listed in the NTSB accident database involving the de Havilland DHC-3 Otter. Of those thirty-seven events, five involved structural or mechanical failures that impacted the flight control system of the aircraft
Who was the FAA Certified Operator of the Mutiny Bay Seaplane Accident – Northwest Seaplanes, Friday Harbor Seaplanes, or West Isle Air?
Why would aircraft owners and operators form multiple companies for their air carrier business?
Seaplane lost off the coast of Whidbey Island
On September 4th, 2022, ten people were lost in a tragic accident off the coast of Whidbey Island following the crash of a Northwest Seaplanes DHC-3 Otter. The flight departed from Friday Harbor at 14:50 local time, and its last position was reported at 15:09. The...
ATC’s role in the Midair Collision at North Las Vegas should be investigated.
While the Malibu pilot may be responsible for making a wide base turn to 30L or even lining up on 30R, but could have a simple traffic advisory made him or the Cessna pilots more aware?
Hawaii Helicopter Air Tour Crashes Continue Despite NTSB Safety Recommendations
Paradise Helicopter is also not without prior incidents, this is its fourth accident. Hawaii Scenic aviation accidents occur every year. Indeed, since 1997, the NTSB has investigated 41 air tour accidents in Hawaii, 15 of which were fatal. Of those 41 accidents, 9 involved a pilot’s decision to continue flight under visual flight rules (VFR) into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Those nine accidents resulted in 51 deaths, 51 preventable deaths.