NTSB Releases New Details in Fatal DHC-3 Accident That Killed 10

The 500-page docket of the fatal crash offers witness testimony and a view into the NTSB investigation process.

Meg Godlewski

Friday, September 01, 2023 at 12:56 PM ET

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The left elevator of the accident airplane being recovered from the ocean floor. [Credit: NTSB]

Key Takeaways:

The NTSB has opened the public docket for its ongoing investigation into the September 4, 2022 de Havilland DHC-3 Turbine Otter crash in Mutiny Bay, which tragically killed all 10 people on board.
The extensive 500+ page docket includes factual information such as detailed weather conditions (strong winds, choppy water), 73 pages of witness accounts describing significant wind shear and rescue efforts, and photographs of the fragmented wreckage.
The NTSB released this factual information for transparency but stresses that the docket does not draw a conclusion on the accident's cause; the final analysis, findings, and probable cause will be provided in a later report.

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Nearly a year ago, a de Havilland DHC-3 Turbine Otter airplane went down in Mutiny Bay near Freeland, Washington, killing all 10 on board. Friday the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) opened the public docket for its ongoing investigation into the Sept. 4, 2022 accident.

The aircraft was registered to Northwest Seaplanes, a Part 135 operation. The aircraft was on a flight between Friday Harbor Seaplane Base (W33) and Renton Municipal Airport (KRNT) at the time of the accident. It was the pilot’s second flight of the day.