De Havilland DHC-3 Otter vs De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter
The de Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter and DHC-3 Otter are STOL utility classics — the Otter is the big single-engine bush hauler; the Twin Otter is the twin-engine 19-seat STOL workhorse (now back in production as the Series 400) with float/ski/wheel versatility.
Safety Record
Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.
| NTSB (1982–now) | De Havilland DHC-3 Otter | De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter |
|---|---|---|
| All events | — | 2 |
| Serious | — | 1 |
| Fatal | — | 1 |
| Fatalities | — | 0 |
| % Fatal | — | 50% |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | De Havilland DHC-3 Otter | De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter |
|---|---|---|
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|
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| Price Range | — | — |
| Category | — | — |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | — | 19 |
| Cruise Speed | 120 kts (222 km/h) | 182 kts (337 km/h) |
| Range | 830 nm (1,537 km) | 799 nm (1,480 km) |
| Max Gross Weight | 8,000 lbs (3,629 kg) | 12,500 lbs (5,670 kg) |
Which Should You Buy: De Havilland DHC-3 Otter or De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter?
Bottom line: Choose the Twin Otter for twin-engine redundancy, more seats and the broadest commuter/float/remote-ops capability — the segment standard. Choose the single Otter for a lower-cost big-single bush hauler, especially turbine-converted, when twin redundancy isn't required.
Pick the DHC-3 Otter if…
- Longer range — 830 nm vs 799 nm.
Pick the DHC-6 Twin Otter if…
- Faster cruise — 182 kts vs 120 kts.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.