Emergency AD on Otters Follows Fatal Accident | Aviation International News

Emergency AD on Otters Follows Fatal Accident

The FAA has issued an emergency AD for visual inspections of the left-hand elevator auxiliary spars on DHC-3 Turbine Otters.

The FAA has issued an emergency AD for visual inspections of the left-hand elevator auxiliary spars on DHC-3 Turbine Otters. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons/User Tony Hisgett)

By Gordon Gilbert • Contributor - Accidents and Regulations

October 10, 2022

On October 4, exactly one month after a fatal crash of a de Havilland DHC-3 Turbine Otter, the FAA issued an emergency airworthiness directive (AD) requiring immediate visual inspections of the entire left-hand elevator auxiliary spar for cracks, corrosion, and previous repairs. According to the FAA, “This emergency AD was prompted by multiple recent reports of cracks in the left-hand elevator auxiliary spar on DHC-3 airplanes.”

Transport Canada addressed this issue more than four years ago. On Jan. 19, 2018, that agency published an AD requiring inspections of DHC-3 elevator assemblies for corrosion. In response, the FAA didn't issue a proposed AD to require such inspections until Feb. 8, 2022, and said it is currently addressing comments. In the proposed AD, the FAA wrote: "Corrosion and cracking, if not addressed, could lead to structural failure with consequent loss of control of the airplane."

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

Libyan Officials Investigate Latitude Runway Overrun

Three crew survived crash on empty leg charter trip from Istanbul

Misrata Airport Citation crash

NBC News Helicopter Crashes in LA, Killing Three

Helicopter was covering a fatal collision between an SUV and bus when it went down

Mayor Karen Bass speaks at a press conference near the scene of the crashes on September 15

Forgotten Safety Pin Preceded Gulfstream IV Excursion

Airplane veered into grass with no injuries reported

Screenshot 2026-09-14 at 8.07.17 AM

District Court Rejects Appeal of GARA-related Lawsuit

Plaintiffs argued that police aircraft are exempt from GARA statute of repose

Helicopter accident flight path

NTSB: Pax Safely Lands King Air after Pilot Collapsed

Pilot died of cardiac arrest during the flight

Teen Driver Breaches Fence, Hits PlaneSense PC-12 at KPSM

Vehicle also struck parked ground-support tractor; there were no injuries

the pilatus PC-12 photographed on a ramp

NBAA Report Flags Powerplant, Collision Risks in Q2 Data

Six fatal accidents resulted in 22 fatalities in the quarter

Remembering a Solemn Anniversary: the Amazon Midair

Twenty years ago, a business jet and commerical airliner collided; the smaller airplane survived

Joe Sharkey with Embraer Legacy 600 involved in collision