How many accidents has the De Havilland DHC-3 had?

The NTSB has recorded 35 events involving the De Havilland DHC-3: 4 fatal, 5 serious, 4 minor injuries, and 21 incidents with no injuries.

Is the De Havilland DHC-3 a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The De Havilland DHC-3 has 35 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

De Havilland DHC-3 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 35 events recorded from 1982 to 2008.

All Events

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (11 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Apr 28, 2008	Talkeetna, AK	N565TA	Incident	substantial	The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing site, which resulted in an overload failure of the tail ski assembly during the landing roll.
Sep 02, 2006	Wainwright, AK	N3125N	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for wind conditions during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of control, and subsequent collisio… The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for wind conditions during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of control, and subsequent collision with a ditch when the airplane departed the runway. A factor contributing to the accident was a crosswind.
Jun 01, 2006	Port Townsend, WA	N606KA	Incident	substantial	The pilot's misjudgment of the airplane's height above the water during a precautionary landing which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing factor… The pilot's misjudgment of the airplane's height above the water during a precautionary landing which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing factors were glassy water conditions, fog, and the pilot's inadvertent VFR flight into IMC.
Dec 28, 2002	Nikolai, AK	N3904	Incident	substantial	An improper and undocumented major repair of the elevator torque tube support assembly by an unknown person, which resulted in an in-flight disconnect… An improper and undocumented major repair of the elevator torque tube support assembly by an unknown person, which resulted in an in-flight disconnection of the airplane's right elevator, and a jammed rudder. A factor associated with the accident is the inadequate inspection of the airplane by company maintenance personnel.
Sep 04, 2002	TENAKEE SPRINGS, AK	N335AK	Incident	substantial	The pilot's misjudgment of the airplane's speed/distance from a dock resulting in the airplane drifting into a wooden piling during a taxi from landin… The pilot's misjudgment of the airplane's speed/distance from a dock resulting in the airplane drifting into a wooden piling during a taxi from landing. A factor in the accident was the presence of a tidal current.
Aug 19, 2002	Ketchikan, AK	N409PA	Incident	minor	The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual outlook during cruise climb, which resulted in a midair collision between the two airplanes.
Aug 20, 1999	PORT ALSWORTH, AK	N888KA	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadvertent retraction of the trailing edge flaps during the takeoff run.
Apr 27, 1999	HEALY, AK	N3125N	Incident	substantial	The pilot's selection of an unsafe/hazardous area for landing. Factors in the accident were the presence of a tail wind, the pilot's inadequate evalu… The pilot's selection of an unsafe/hazardous area for landing. Factors in the accident were the presence of a tail wind, the pilot's inadequate evaluation of the wind conditions, and a narrow airstrip.
Jul 14, 1995	KETCHIKAN, AK	N472PM	Incident	substantial	THE CRACKS IN THE TRAILING EDGE OF THE ELEVATOR SERVO TAB, WHICH RESULTED IN ITS SUBSEQUENT FAILURE AND PARTIAL SEPARATION.
Jul 22, 1992	MCGRATH, AK	N41755	Incident	substantial	THE FIRE IN THE ENGINE ACCESSORY DRIVE ASSEMBLY. FACTOR WAS THE ROUGH AN UNEVEN FORCED LANDING AREA.
Feb 04, 1992	METLAKATLA, AK	N13GA	Incident	substantial	TOTAL FAILURE OF THE RIVETS ATTACHING THE TRIM TAB CONTROL HORN TO THE RIGHT ELEVATOR TRIM TAB.
Sep 23, 1990	KING SALMON, AK	N5322G	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRPLANE CONTROL DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, AND FAILURE OF NOT ATTAINING AIRSPEED ON TAKEOFF.
Sep 02, 1989	SHEENJEK RIVER, AK	N17689	Incident	substantial	FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO GO AROUND WHEN HE WAS UNABLE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT AND HIS EXCESSIVE APPLICATION OF BRAKES DURING THE LANDING. … FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO GO AROUND WHEN HE WAS UNABLE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT AND HIS EXCESSIVE APPLICATION OF BRAKES DURING THE LANDING. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: THE DOWNDRAFT, EXCESSIVE REMEDIAL ACTION, AND SOFT TERRAIN.
Jun 20, 1989	PALMER, AK	N41755	Incident	—	INADEQUATE LUBRICATION WHICH RESULTED IN THE FAILURE OF THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER'S TRIM ACTUATOR.
Feb 10, 1989	FAIRBANKS, AK	N5056Q	Incident	substantial	FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO REMOVE FROST FROM THE AIRCRAFT. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: IMPROPER WEIGHT AND BALANCE AND SNOW COVERED TERRAIN.
Oct 12, 1988	BONANZA HILLS, AK	N90574	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Jul 15, 1988	WRANGELL, AK	N55CX	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Jun 02, 1988	EAGLE, AK	N3125N	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Sep 11, 1985	CAPE DOUGLAS, AK	N11250	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Oct 27, 1982	HOMER, AK	N3904	Incident	minor	Investigation pending
Sep 01, 1982	NEAR SKWENTNA, AK	N41755	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending

Disclaimer: This data is sourced from the NTSB Aviation Accident Database. NTSB events reflect reported accidents and incidents and do not necessarily indicate a defect in the aircraft type. Many events involve pilot error, weather conditions, maintenance issues, or other factors unrelated to the aircraft design. This information is provided for research purposes only — consult official NTSB reports for complete details.

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De Havilland DHC-3 Safety Record

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