De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter

{{Short description|Utility transport aircraft family by de Havilland Canada}} {{Lowercase title}} {{Use Canadian English|date=February 2023}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}} {{Infobox aircraft | name = DHC-6 Twin Otter | image = File:WinAir De Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otter Breidenstein.jpg | caption = [[Winair]] DHC-6 Twin Otter landing at [[Gustaf III Airport]] | type = [[Utility aircraft]] | manufacturer = {{ubl| * [[de Havilland Canada (1928–1986)|de Havilland Canada]] * [[Viking Air]] * [[De Havilland Canada]] }} | designer = | first_flight = 20 May 1965 | introduction = 1966 | retired = | status = In production<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/viking-restarts-twin-otter-production-212989/ |title=Viking restarts Twin Otter production |work=flightglobal.com |access-date=25 January 2015 |date=2 April 2007}}</ref> | primary_user = | more_users = | produced = {{ubl| * 1965–1988 (Series 100–300) * 2008–present (Series 400) * 2023–present (Series 300-G) }} | number_built = {{ubl| * March 2026: {{#expr:844+156}} * (844 DHC, 156 Viking)<ref>{{cite web |url= https://dehavilland.com/aircraft-sales/de-havilland-canada-celebrates-1000th-twin-otter-delivery-with-satena/ |title= De Havilland Canada Celebrates 1000th Twin Otter Delivery with SATENA |date= March 2026 |author1= |author2= |author3= |author4= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.twinotterarchive.com/DHC-6_Index_new.html |title= Twin Otter Archive |date= August 2019 |author1= Mike Ody |author2= Erik Johannesson |author3= Ian Macintosh |author4= Neil Aird}}</ref> }} | developed_from = [[de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter]] | variants = | developed_into = }}

The '''de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter''' is a Canadian [[STOL]] (short takeoff and landing) [[utility aircraft]] developed by [[de Havilland Canada (1928–1986)|de Havilland Canada]] in the mid-1960s and still in production. It was built by De Havilland Canada from 1965 to 1988. In 2006, [[Viking Air]] purchased the [[type certificate]] and restarted production in 2008, before re-adopting the name [[De Havilland Canada]]. In 2023, DHC started production of the 300-G, an upgraded version of the Series 400 with [[Garmin]] avionics.

The aircraft's fixed [[tricycle undercarriage]], STOL capabilities, twin [[turboprop]] engines and high rate of [[Climb (aeronautics)|climb]] have made it a successful [[commuter airline]]r, typically seating 18–20 passengers, as well as a cargo and [[medical evacuation]] aircraft. The Twin Otter has also been popular with commercial skydiving operations and is used by the [[United States Army Parachute Team]] and the [[98th Flying Training Squadron]] of the [[United States Air Force]].

==Design and development== [[File:De Havilland Canada DHC-6-200 Twin Otter, Fayard Enterprises AN1275854.jpg|left|thumb|DHC-6-200 cockpit]]

Development of the aircraft began in 1964, with the first flight on 20 May 1965. A twin-engine replacement for the single-engine [[de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter|DHC-3 Otter]] retaining the DHC-3's [[STOL]] qualities, its design features included double-slotted trailing-edge [[Flap (aeronautics)|flaps]] and [[aileron]]s that work in unison with the flaps to boost STOL performance. The availability of the {{convert|550|shp|lk=in}} [[Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6|Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-20]] turboprop in the early 1960s made the concept of a twin feasible. A DHC-3 Otter with its [[Reciprocating engine|piston engine]] replaced with two PT6A-4<ref>Power – The Pratt & Whitney Canada Story, Kenneth H. Sullivan and Larry Milberry, CANAV Books 1989, {{ISBN|0-921022-01-8}}, p.146</ref> engines had already flown in 1963. It had been extensively modified for STOL research.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1963/1963%20-%200071.html?search=january%20otter%20stol |title = De havilland &#124; 1963 &#124; 0071 &#124; Flight Archive}}</ref> To [[bush plane]] operators, the improved reliability of turboprop power and the improved performance of a twin-engine configuration made it an immediately popular alternative to the piston-powered Otter which had been flying since 1951. [[File:Vancouver to Victoria. West Coast Air De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter floatplane -2.jpg|thumb|The floatplane version of the DHC-6 enables water landings]] [[File:De Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otter, WinAir AN2097069.jpg|thumb|DHC-6-300 passenger cabin]] The first six aircraft produced were designated Series 1, indicating that they were prototype aircraft. The initial production run consisted of Series 100 aircraft, serial numbers seven to 115 inclusive. In 1968, Series 200 production began with serial number 116. Changes made at the beginning of Series 200 production included improving the STOL performance, adding a longer nose that was equipped with a larger baggage compartment (except for aircraft fitted with floats), and fitting a larger door to the rear baggage compartment. All Series 1, 100, and 200 aircraft and their variants (110, 210) were fitted with the {{cvt|550|shp}} PT6A-20 engines.

In 1969, the Series 300 was introduced, beginning with serial number 231. Both aircraft performance and payload were improved by fitting more powerful PT6A-27 engines. This was a {{cvt|680|hp}} engine that was [[flat rated]] to {{cvt|620|hp}} for use in the Series 300 Twin Otter. The Series 300 proved to be the most successful variant by far, with 614 Series 300 aircraft and their subvariants (Series 310 for United Kingdom operators, Series 320 for Australian operators, etc.) sold before production in [[Toronto]] by [[de Havilland Canada (1928–1986)|de Havilland Canada]] ended in 1988.

In 1972, its unit cost was US$680,000,<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1972/1972%20-%202020.html |title= Airliner price index |magazine= Flight International |date= 10 August 1972 |page= 183}}</ref> In 1976, a new -300 would have cost $700,000 (${{inflation|USD|0.7|r=1|1976|2017}} million 31 years later) and is still worth more than $2.5 million in 2018 despite the -400 introduction, many years after the -300 production ceased.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.aircraftvaluenews.com/dash8-400-values-face-some-uncertainty-as-viking-takes-over/ |title= Dash8-400 Values Face Some Uncertainty as Viking Takes Over |author= Aircraft Value News |date= 26 November 2018}}</ref> 844 had been produced by the time the first production end run ended in 1988.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UV-18A Twin Otter - Military Aircraft |url=https://man.fas.org/dod-101/sys/ac/uv-18.htm |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=man.fas.org}}</ref><ref name="Hemmerdinger">{{Cite web |last=Hemmerdinger |first=Jon |title=De Havilland resumes Twin Otter 300 production with new variant |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/airframers/de-havilland-resumes-twin-otter-300-production-with-new-variant/153788.article |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=Flight Global |language=en}}</ref>

===New production===

After Series 300 production ended, the remaining tooling was purchased by [[Viking Air]] of [[Victoria, British Columbia]], which manufactures replacement parts for out-of-production de Havilland Canada aircraft. On 24 February 2006, Viking purchased the [[type certificate]]s from [[Bombardier Aviation]] for all out-of-production de Havilland Canada aircraft ([[de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk|DHC-1]] through [[de Havilland Canada Dash 7|DHC-7]]).<ref> [http://aiabc.com/artman/publish/printer_47.shtml "Viking Acquires De Havilland Type Certificates."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060824095652/http://aiabc.com/artman/publish/printer_47.shtml |date=24 August 2006 }} ''aiabc.com'', 24 February 2006. Retrieved: 15 May 2010.</ref> The ownership of the certificates gives Viking the exclusive right to manufacture new aircraft.

On 17 July 2006, at the [[Farnborough Airshow]], Viking Air announced its intention to offer a Series 400 Twin Otter. On 2 April 2007, Viking announced that with 27 orders and options in hand, it was restarting production of the Twin Otter, equipped with more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34 engines.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/2007/04/02/212989/viking-restarts-twin-otter-production.html "Viking restarts Twin Otter production."] ''flightglobal.com'', 2 April 2007. Retrieved: 15 May 2010.</ref> As of November 2007, 40 firm orders and 10 options had been taken and a new final assembly plant was established in [[Calgary]], [[Alberta]].<ref name=type-cert-soon>Sarsfield, Kate. [http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/02/03/337923/viking-twin-otter-series-400-certification-approaches.html "Viking Twin Otter Series 400 certification approaches."] ''[[Flightglobal]]'', 3 February 2010. Retrieved: 15 May 2010.</ref><ref name=400prod>[http://www.vikingair.com/content.aspx?id=82 "News releases."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100908101652/http://www.vikingair.com/content.aspx?id=82 |date=8 September 2010 }} ''Viking Air''. Retrieved: 15 May 2010.</ref> [[Zimex Aviation]] of Switzerland received the first new production aircraft, serial number 845, in July 2010.<ref> [http://www.zimex.ch/home/fleet/twin-otter.aspx "Twin Otter – Zimex Aviation."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501155523/http://www.zimex.ch/home/fleet/twin-otter.aspx |date=1 May 2008}} ''zimex.ch''. Retrieved: 15 May 2010. </ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Jang |first=Brent |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/the-rebirth-of-a-canadian-icon/article4319246 |title=The rebirth of a Canadian icon. |newspaper=[[The Globe and Mail]] |date=14 May 2010|access-date=8 August 2012}}</ref> By mid-2014, Viking had built 55 new aircraft at its Calgary facility. The production rate as of summer 2014 was about 24 aircraft per year. In April 2015, Viking announced a reduction of the production rate to 18 aircraft per year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2015-04-07/viking-air-slashes-twin-otter-production-lays-116 |title=Viking Air Slashes Twin Otter Production, Lays Off 116|work=Aviation International News|access-date=3 July 2015}}</ref> On 17 June 2015, Viking announced a partnership with a Chinese firm, [[Reignwood Group|Reignwood Aviation Group]]; the group would purchase 50 aircraft and become the exclusive supplier of new Series 400 Twin Otters in China. [[File:First Flight Twin Otter Series 400 C-FDHT (cropped).jpg|thumb|First flight of the Series 400 technical demonstrator by [[Viking Air]] at [[Victoria International Airport|Victoria Airport]], 1 October 2008]] Major changes introduced with the Series 400 include [[Honeywell Primus]] Apex fully integrated [[avionics]], deletion of the AC electrical system, modernization of the electrical and lighting systems, and use of composites for non load-bearing structures such as doors.<ref>Phelps, Mark. [http://www.flyingmag.com/news/1156/updated-twin-otter-takes-off.html "Updated Twin Otter Takes Off."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081024135619/http://www.flyingmag.com/news/1156/updated-twin-otter-takes-off.html |date=24 October 2008 }} ''flyingmag.com'', 16 October 2008. Retrieved: 15 May 2010.</ref>

The 100th Series 400 Twin Otter (MSN 944) was displayed at the July 2017 [[EAA AirVenture Oshkosh]]. At the time 38% were operated as [[regional airliner]]s, 31% were in [[military aviation]] use, 26% in industrial support and 5% were in private [[air charter]]. Seventy were on regular [[landing gear]] wheels, 18 were configured as straight or amphibious [[floatplane]]s, 10 had [[tundra tire]]s and two had wheel [[ski]]s.<ref>{{cite press release |url= https://www.vikingair.com/viking-news/media-centre/100th-viking-production-series-400-twin-otter-display-eaa-airventure-2017 |title= 100th Viking Production Series 400 Twin Otter on Display at EAA Airventure 2017 |date= 21 July 2017 |publisher= Viking Air |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170728163011/https://www.vikingair.com/viking-news/media-centre/100th-viking-production-series-400-twin-otter-display-eaa-airventure-2017 |archive-date= 28 July 2017}}</ref>

In 2019, Viking started making plastic components for the Twin Otter by [[3D printing|3D printer]] to help reduce cost.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ballah |first1=Brett |title=De Havilland owner believes renewed focus will increase Dash 8 market share |url=https://westernaviationnews.com/2019/08/28/de-havilland-owner-believes-renewed-focus-will-increase-dash-8-market-share/ |access-date=19 December 2019 |work=Western Aviation News |date=28 August 2019 |language=en |archive-date=19 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219211954/https://westernaviationnews.com/2019/08/28/de-havilland-owner-believes-renewed-focus-will-increase-dash-8-market-share/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Twin Otter production was suspended in 2019 during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. In July 2022, DHC announced that it was reviewing the program and supply chain, with a decision on when to resume production expected "in the near future".<ref>{{cite news |last=Hemmerdinger |first=Jon |title=De Havilland reviewing Twin Otter and Dash 8 programmes, considering updates |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/farnborough-2022/de-havilland-reviewing-twin-otter-and-dash-8-programmes-considering-updates/149479.article |work=Flight Global |date=19 July 2022 }}</ref> In 2023, its equipped price was $7.25M.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://infogram.com/bca-table-2023-turboprops-1ho16vorwrxm84n |title=Purchase planning handbook – turboprops table |date= Second Quarter 2023|work=[[Aviation Week & Space Technology|Business & Commercial Aviation]]}}</ref>

In June 2023, Viking, now operating as De Havilland Canada, started production of the new DHC-6 Classic 300-G.<ref name="Hemmerdinger"/>

==Operational history== [[File:Aerovías DAP-TWIN otter (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Aerovías DAP]] DHC-6 Series 300 at [[Puerto Williams]], Chile]] [[File:This is a perfectly normal approach for a Twin Otter.jpg|thumb|A Twin Otter making a normal landing approach in [[Queensland]], Australia]] [[File:TMA DHC-6 Twin Otter at Velana International Airport, May 2017.jpg|thumb|A [[Trans Maldivian Airways]] Twin Otter at [[Velana International Airport|Velana International Airport, Maldives]]]] [[File:Maldivian DHC-6 Twin Otter water landing.webm|thumbnail|Maldivian DHC-6 Twin Otter water landing]] [[File:Twin Otter 4 1997-08-02.jpg|thumb|De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter on [[Beechey Island]] at the graves of seamen who were part of [[Franklin's lost expedition]] (Nunavut, Canada) ''circa'' 1997. Note the [[tundra tire]]s.]] [[File:Plane arrival at Barra Airport.jpg|thumb|Twin Otter daily scheduled service between Glasgow (Scotland) and [[Barra Airport (Scotland)|Barra Airport]]'s sandy beach runway]]

Twin Otters could be delivered directly from the factory with [[Float (nautical)|floats]], [[ski]]s, or [[tricycle landing gear]] fittings, making them adaptable [[bush plane]]s for remote and northern areas. Areas including Canada and the United States, (specifically [[Alaska]]) had much of the demand. Many Twin Otters still serve in the [[Arctic]] and [[subarctic]], but they can also be found in Africa, Australia, Asia, Antarctica, and other regions where bush planes are the optimum means of travel. Their versatility and manoeuvrability have made them popular in areas with difficult flying environments such as [[Papua New Guinea]]. In Norway, the Twin Otter paved the way for the network of short-field airports, connecting rural areas with larger towns. The Twin Otter showed outstanding reliability, and remained in service until 2000 on certain routes. [[Widerøe]] of Norway was, at one time, the world's largest operator of Twin Otters. During one period of its tenure in Norway, the Twin Otter fleet achieved over 96,000 cycles (take-off, flight, and landing) per year.{{citation needed|date=April 2018}}

A number of commuter airlines in the United States got their start by operating Twin Otters in scheduled passenger operations. Houston Metro Airlines (which later changed its name to [[Metro Airlines]]) constructed their own [[STOLport]] airstrip with a passenger terminal and maintenance hangar in [[Clear Lake City (Greater Houston)|Clear Lake City, Texas]], near the [[Johnson Space Center]]. The [[Clear Lake City STOLport]] was specifically designed for Twin Otter operations. According to the February 1976 edition of the ''[[OAG (company)|Official Airline Guide]]'', Houston Metro operated 22 round-trip flights every weekday at this time between Clear Lake City (CLC) and Houston Intercontinental Airport, now [[George Bush Intercontinental Airport]], in a scheduled passenger airline shuttle operation.<ref>North American Official Airline Guide (OAG), February 1976 edition</ref> Houston Metro had agreements in place for connecting passenger feed services with [[Continental Airlines]] and [[Eastern Air Lines]] at Houston Intercontinental, with this major airport having a dedicated STOL landing area at the time specifically for Twin Otter flight operations. The Clear Lake City STOLport is no longer in existence.

The [[Walt Disney World]] resort in Florida was also served with scheduled airline flights operated with Twin Otter aircraft. The [[Walt Disney World Airport]], also known as the Lake Buena Vista STOLport, was a private airfield constructed by [[The Walt Disney Company]] with Twin Otter operations in mind. In the early 1970s, Shawnee Airlines operated scheduled Twin Otter flights between the Disney resort and nearby Orlando Jetport, now [[Orlando International Airport]], as well as to [[Tampa International Airport]]. This service by Shawnee Airlines is mentioned in the "Air Commuter Section" of the 6 September 1972 [[Eastern Air Lines]] system timetable as a connecting service to and from Eastern flights.<ref name="index">{{cite web|url=http://www.departedflights.com |title=index |website=Departedflights.com |date=14 April 2017 |access-date=26 April 2017}}</ref> This STOL airfield is no longer in use.

Another commuter airline in the United States, [[Rocky Mountain Airways]], operated Twin Otters from the [[Lake County Airport (Colorado)|Lake County Airport]] in [[Leadville, Colorado]]. At an elevation of {{cvt|9,927|ft|m}} above mean sea level, this airport is the highest airfield in the United States ever to have received scheduled passenger airline service, thus demonstrating the wide-ranging flight capabilities of the Twin Otter. Rocky Mountain Airways went on to become the worldwide launch customer for the larger, four-engine [[de Havilland Canada Dash 7]] STOL turboprop, but continued to operate the Twin Otter, as well.

Larger scheduled passenger airlines based in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Australia, particularly jetliner operators, also flew Twin Otters, with the aircraft providing connecting feeder service for these airlines. Jet aircraft operators which also flew the Twin Otter included [[Aeroméxico|Aeronaves de Mexico]], [[Air BC]], [[Alaska Airlines]], [[ALM Antillean Airlines]], [[Ansett Australia|Ansett Airlines]], [[Cayman Airways]], [[Frontier Airlines (1950–1986)|Frontier Airlines]], [[LIAT]], [[Norcanair]], [[Nordair]], [[Ozark Air Lines]], [[Pacific Western Airlines]], [[Quebecair]], [[South Pacific Island Airways]], [[Time Air]], [[Transair (Canada)|Transair]], [[Trans Australia Airlines]] (TAA), [[Wardair]] and [[Wien Air Alaska]].<ref>[http://www.timetableimages.com/] airline system timetables</ref><ref>[http://www.departedflights.com/] airline system timetables & OAG flight guides</ref> In many cases, the excellent operating economics of the Twin Otter allowed airlines large and small to provide scheduled passenger flights to communities that most likely would otherwise never have received air service.

Twin Otters are also a staple of [[Antarctica|Antarctic]] transportation.<ref>[https://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/press/01/pr0129.htm "NSF PR 01-29 — Civilian Aircraft to Evacuate South Pole Patient"] ''nsf.gov''. Retrieved: 15 May 2010.</ref> Four Twin Otters are employed by the [[British Antarctic Survey]] on research and supply flights, and several are employed by the [[United States Antarctic Program]] via contract with [[Kenn Borek Air]]. On 24–25 April 2001, two Twin Otters performed the first winter flight to [[Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station]] to perform a medical evacuation.<ref>[http://www.70south.com/resources/evacuations/2001-southpole "2001—Doctor Evacuated from the South Pole."] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20060315230338/http://www.70south.com/resources/evacuations/2001-southpole |date=15 March 2006}} ''www.70south.com''. Retrieved: 15 May 2010.</ref><ref>Williams, Jeff. [https://www.usatoday.com/news/science/cold-science/doctor/2001-04-27-pilot.htm "Pilot says pole flight wasn't his most challenging."] ''usatoday.com''.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20071018150856/http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2001/05/03/antarctic_bas_010503.html "Pilots return after historic South Pole rescue."]''cbc.ca/news''. Retrieved: 15 May 2010.</ref><ref>[http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/living_and_working/aircraft_and_vehicles/aircraft/index.php "Aircraft in Antarctica: British Antarctic Survey."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080129092148/http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/living_and_working/aircraft_and_vehicles/aircraft/index.php |date=29 January 2008}} ''antarctica.ac.uk''. Retrieved: 31 December 2007. </ref>

On 21–22 June 2016, Kenn Borek Air's Twin Otters performed the third winter evacuation flight to Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station to remove two people for medical reasons.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/kenn-borek-air-south-pole-june-22-1.3646966 |title=Calgary crew evacuates pair from South Pole in daring Antarctic rescue|website=CBC News|access-date=23 June 2016}}</ref>

The [[Argentine Air Force]] has used the Twin Otter in Antarctica<ref>[http://www.fuerzaaerea.mil.ar/material/images/foto_twinotter.png "Official picture."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718102115/http://www.fuerzaaerea.mil.ar/material/images/foto_twinotter.png |date=18 July 2011}} ''fuerzaaerea.mil''. Retrieved: 15 May 2010.</ref> since the 1970s, with at least one of them deployed year-round at [[Marambio Base]].<ref>Hulcazuk, Sergio. [http://www.aeroespacio.com.ar/site/anteriores/520-528/524/castor.htm "Twin Otter: El castor patagonico."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100813230144/http://www.aeroespacio.com.ar/site/anteriores/520-528/524/castor.htm |date=13 August 2010}} ''aeroespacio.com''. Retrieved: 15 May 2010.</ref> The [[Chilean Air Force]] has operated the type since 1980, usually having an example based at [[Base Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva|Presidente Frei Antarctic base]] of the [[South Shetland Islands]].

[[Alfredo Stroessner]], Paraguayan head of state from 1954 until 1989, used a Twin Otter as a presidential aircraft; although the Twin Otter remained in the [[Paraguayan Air Force]] inventory after he was deposed, subsequent presidents switched to other, private aircraft for official duties.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.ip.gov.py/ip/china-taiwan-dono-aeronave-a-la-fuerza-aerea-paraguaya/ |title=Tras dos décadas Paraguay vuelve a tener aeronave oficial para vuelo presidencial |date=10 December 2019 |access-date=6 May 2024 |publisher=Ministerio de Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación |location=Asunción |language=Spanish}}</ref>

[[File:Kangerlussuaq-airport-air-greenland-dhc6.jpg|thumb|An [[Air Greenland]] Twin Otter at [[Kangerlussuaq Airport]]]]

As of August 2006, a total of 584 Twin Otter aircraft (all variants) remained in service worldwide. Major operators at the time included: [[Libyan Airlines|Libyan Arab Airlines]], [[Maldivian Air Taxi]], [[Trans Maldivian Airways]], [[Kenn Borek Air]], and [[Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines]]. Some 115 airlines operated smaller numbers of the aircraft including [[Yeti Airlines]] in Nepal, [[Malaysia Airlines]] (which used the Twin Otter exclusively for passenger and freight transportation to the [[Kelabit Highlands]] region in [[Sarawak]]), and in the United Kingdom, the Scottish airline, [[Loganair]] which uses the aircraft to service the island of [[Barra]] in the [[Outer Hebrides]]. This daily scheduled service is unique as the aircraft lands on the beach and the schedule is partly influenced by the tide tables. Trials at [[Barra Airport]] with heavier planes than the Twin Otter, like the Short 360, failed because they sank in the sand. The Twin Otter is also used for landing at [[Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport]], the world's shortest commercial runway, on the Caribbean island of [[Saba (island)|Saba]], [[Netherlands Antilles]].

The Twin Otter has been popular with commercial skydiving operations. It can carry up to 22 skydivers to over {{cvt|17,000|ft}}, which is a large load compared to most other aircraft in the industry. Presently, the Twin Otter is used in skydiving operations in many countries. The [[United States Air Force]] operates three Twin Otters for the [[United States Air Force Academy]]'s skydiving team.

On 26 April 2001, the first ever air rescue during polar winter from the [[South Pole]] occurred with a ski-equipped Twin Otter operated by [[Kenn Borek Air]].<ref name=Antol-Shemenski>{{cite web |url= http://www.stargate4173.com/Polar/PolarJournals/southPoleRescue.html |title= The Rescue of Dr. Ron Shemenski from the South Pole |author= Bob Antol |publisher= Bob Antol's Polar Journals |date= April 2001 |access-date= 23 January 2013}}</ref><ref name=NZH-2001-04-27>{{cite news |url= http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=185352 |title= Doctor rescued from Antarctica safely in Chile |date= 27 April 2001 |access-date= 23 January 2013|newspaper= New Zealand Herald }}</ref><ref name=CNNtranscript-2001-04-26>{{cite news |url= https://transcripts.cnn.com/show/bn/date/2001-04-26/segment/02 |title= Plane With Dr. Shemenski Arrives in Chile |date= 26 April 2001 |access-date= 23 January 2013 |author= Transcript |publisher= CNN }}</ref>

On 25 September 2008, the Series 400 Technology Demonstrator achieved "power on" status in advance of an official rollout.<ref>[http://www.vikingair.com/content.aspx?id=1742 "Viking Twin Otter Series 400 Achieves Power On."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100311032307/http://www.vikingair.com/content.aspx?id=1742 |date=11 March 2010}} ''vikingair.com'', 25 September 2008. Retrieved: 15 May 2010.</ref><ref>[http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/business/story.html?id=0b77b24c-42d4-45b4-a3d6-cf36ba3fdda9 "Twin Otter Shakes Its Wings Over Victoria Skies."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011031801/http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/business/story.html?id=0b77b24c-42d4-45b4-a3d6-cf36ba3fdda9 |date=11 October 2008}} ''canada.com'', 2 October 2008. Retrieved: 15 May 2010.</ref> The first flight of the Series 400 technical demonstrator, C-FDHT, took place 1 October 2008, at [[Victoria International Airport]].<ref>Padfield, R. Randall and Matt Thurber. [http://www.ainonline.com/news/single-news-page/article/revived-twin-otter-makes-first-flight/ "Revived Twin Otter Makes First Flight."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011004037/http://www.ainonline.com/news/single-news-page/article/revived-twin-otter-makes-first-flight/ |date=11 October 2008}} ''ainonline.com'', 8 October 2008. Retrieved: 15 May 2010.</ref><ref>[http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=4a051728-a3a4-40b0-9c96-3384f2b9690b "First Flight For New Twin Otter A "Boring" Success."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081002233110/http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=4a051728-a3a4-40b0-9c96-3384f2b9690b |date=2 October 2008}} ''canada.com'', 1 October 2008. Retrieved: 15 May 2010.</ref>

Two days later, the aircraft departed [[Victoria, British Columbia]] for a [[Ferry flying|ferry flight]] to [[Orlando, Florida]], site of the 2008 [[National Business Aviation Association]] (NBAA) Conference and exhibition. The first new build Series 400 Twin Otter (SN 845) made its first flight on 16 February 2010, in [[Calgary]], [[Alberta]].<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/02/17/338513/twin-otter-series-400-completes-maiden-sortie.html "Twin Otter Series 400 completes maiden sortie."] ''flightglobal.com'', 17 February 2010. Retrieved: 15 May 2010.</ref> [[Transport Canada]] presented Viking Air Limited with an amended DHC-6 Type Certificate including the Series 400 on 21 July 2010.<ref name= 400prod/> Six years after, in July 2016, 100 series 400 have been delivered to 34 customers operating in 29 countries.<ref>{{cite press release |url= http://www.vikingair.com/viking-news/media-centre/viking-readies-100th-production-series-400-twin-otter-delivery |title= Viking Readies 100th Production Series 400 Twin Otter for Delivery |date= 12 July 2016 |publisher= Viking Air}}</ref>

By June 2017, around 125 planes had been made since restarting production in 2010.<ref name="Flight21June2017">{{cite news|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/paris-viking-targets-china-russia-with-twin-otter-438659/|title=Viking targets China, Russia with Twin Otter|author=Jon Hemmerdinger|date=21 June 2017|work=Flightglobal}}</ref>

==Variants== [[File:De Havilland Canada DHC-6-100 Twin Otter (N24HV, cn 109) (2-3-2024).jpg|thumb|Short-nosed DHC-6-100 Twin Otter at [[DeLand Municipal Airport]]]] [[File:DHC-300 Twin Otter 300 Air Seychelles.jpg|thumb|[[Air Seychelles]] de Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otter on [[Bird Island, Seychelles]]]] [[File:SeaborneTwinOtterSTT.jpg|thumb|A [[Seaborne Airlines]] DHC-6-300 fitted with floats makes a water landing at [[Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands]]]]

;{{visible anchor|DHC-6 Series 100}} : Twin-engine STOL utility transport aircraft, powered by two {{cvt|550|shp}} [[Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6|Pratt & Whitney PT6A-20]] turboprop engines. ;DHC-6 Series 110 : Variant of the Series 100 built to conform to BCAR (British Civil Air Regulations). ;{{Visible anchor|DHC-6 Series 200}} : Improved version. ;{{visible anchor|DHC-6 Series 300}} : Twin-engine STOL utility transport aircraft, powered by two {{cvt|680|shp}} (715 ESHP) [[Pratt & Whitney Canada]] PT6A-27 turboprop engines. ;DHC-6 Series 300M : Multi-role [[Military supply-chain management|military transport]] aircraft. Two of these were produced as "proof-of-concept" demonstrators. Both have since been reverted to Series 300 conformity. ;{{visible anchor|DHC-6 Series 310}} : Variant of the Series 300 built to conform to BCAR (British Civil Air Regulations). ;DHC-6 Series 320 : Variant of the Series 300 built to conform to Australian Civil Air Regulations. ;DHC-6 Series 300S : Six demonstrator aircraft fitted with eleven seats, wing spoilers and an anti-skid braking system. All have since been reverted to Series 300 conformity. ;{{visible anchor|Viking Air DHC-6 Series 400}} :[[Viking Air]] production, first delivered in July 2010, powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34 engines, and available on standard landing gear, straight floats, amphibious floats, skis, wheel skis, or intermediate flotation landing gear ("[[tundra tire]]s") and a Honeywell glass cockpit flight deck. ;Viking Air DHC-6 Series 400S Seaplane - never produced : Viking Air seventeen-seat [[seaplane]] version of the Series 400 with twin floats and corrosion-resistance measures for the [[airframe]], engines and fuels system. Customer deliveries planned from early 2017.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Pilot|date=April 2016|title=New Twin Otter Seaplane launched|page=8|publisher=Archant Specialist}}</ref> {{cvt|500|lb|kg}} lighter than the 400.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://airinsight.com/2016/11/01/a-visit-with-viking/ |title= A Visit with Viking |publisher= Air Insight |date= 1 November 2016}}</ref> ;DHC-6 Classic 300-G : Updated DHC-6 Series 400, with an all-new interior and new Garmin glass cockpit flight deck.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://dehavilland.com/en/news/posts/de-havilland-canada-launches-the-DHC-6-twin-otter-classic-300-g |title= De Havilland Canada launches the DHC-6 Twin Otter Classic 300-G |publisher= De Havilland Aircraft of Canada |date= 19 June 2023}}</ref> ;{{visible anchor|CC-138}} : Twin-engine STOL utility transport, [[search and rescue]] aircraft for the [[Canadian Armed Forces Search and Rescue]] operations. Based on the Series 300 aircraft. ;UV-18A : Twin-engine STOL utility transport aircraft for the [[Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs#Alaska National Guard|Alaska National Guard]]. Six built. It has been replaced by the [[Short C-23 Sherpa]] in [[United States Army]] service. In 2019 the [[United States Naval Research Laboratory]] added a UV-18A to the Scientific Development Squadron One ([[VXS-1]]) inventory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.janes.com/article/88991/nrl-introduces-uv-18-twin-otter-aircraft-into-test-fleet |title=NRL introduces UV-18 Twin Otter aircraft into test fleet|author=Richard Scott|date=3 June 2019|access-date=28 February 2020}}</ref> ;UV-18B : Parachute training aircraft for the [[United States Air Force Academy]]. The United States Air Force Academy's [[98th Flying Training Squadron]] maintains three<ref> [http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=11949 "94 FTS Fact Sheet."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303192641/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=11949 |date=3 March 2016 }} ''afhra.af.mil''. Retrieved: 12 August 2009.</ref> UV-18s in its inventory as free-fall parachuting training aircraft,<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/uv-18.htm "UV-18."] ''globalsecurity.org''. Retrieved: 12 August 2009.</ref> and by the Academy Parachute Team, the Wings of Blue, for year-round parachuting operations. Based on the Series 300 aircraft. ;UV-18C : United States Army designation for three Viking Air Series 400s delivered in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/88332/Army_developing_new_fixed_wing_aircraft/|title=Army developing new fixed-wing aircraft|author=Kris Osborn|date=1 October 2012|work=army.mil|access-date=25 January 2015}}</ref>

==Operators== {{Main|List of de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter operators}} [[File:Landing beach side, flying into St Barths, Oct 2014 (15531536397).jpg|thumb|DHC-6 Cockpit view landing at St Barths]] In 2016, there were 281 Twin Otters in airline service with 26 new aircraft on order: 112 in North/South America, 106 in Asia Pacific and Middle East (16 orders), 38 in Europe (10 orders) and 25 in Africa.<ref name=Census>{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/asset/12798 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160822202659/https://www.flightglobal.com/asset/12798 |url-status= dead |archive-date= 22 August 2016 |title= World Airliner Census |date= 8 August 2016 |work= Flight Global}}</ref>

In 2018, a total of 270 Twin Otters were in airline service, and 14 on order: 111 in North/South America, 117 in the Asia Pacific and Middle East (14 orders), 26 in Europe and 13 in Africa.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/asset/24536|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106212640/https://www.flightglobal.com/asset/24536|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 November 2018|title=World Airline Census 2018|website=Flightglobal.com|access-date=27 August 2018}}</ref>

In 2020, there were a total of 315 Twin Otters worldwide with 220 in service, 95 in storage and 8 on order. By region there were 22 in Africa, 142 in Asia Pacific (8 orders), 37 in Europe, 4 in the Middle East and 110 in the Americas.<ref name=wac2020>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/worldairlinecensus2020 |title=World Airliner Census 2020|access-date=17 February 2023}}</ref>

The Twin Otter has been popular not only with bush operators as a replacement for the single-engine [[de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter]] but also with other civil and military customers, with over 890 aircraft built. Many commuter airlines in the United States got their start by flying the Twin Otter in scheduled passenger operations.

{{table alignment}} {| class="wikitable sortable col2center col3center col4center" |+ Airlines with six aircraft or more (2020)<ref name=wac2020/> ! Operator ! Total ! In service ! Stored ! Country |- | [[Trans Maldivian Airways]] || 84 || 75 || 9 || {{flaglist|Maldives}} |- | [[Kenn Borek Air]] || 15 || 11 || 4 || {{flaglist|Canada}} |- | [[Grand Canyon Airlines]] || 13 || 6 || 7 || {{flaglist|United States}} |- | [[Maldivian (airline)|Maldivian]] || 11 || 10 || 1 || {{flaglist|Maldives}} |- | [[Transwest Air]] || 9 || 9 || 0 || {{flaglist|Canada}} |- | [[Zimex Aviation]] || 9 || 7 || 2 || {{flaglist|Switzerland}} |- | [[AeroGeo]]|| 8 || 0 || 8 || {{flaglist|Russia}} |- | [[PAL Airlines|Air Borealis]] (PAL Airlines) || 8 || 8 || 0 || {{flaglist|Canada}} |- | [[Air Adelphi]]|| 7 || 6 || 1 || {{flaglist|Saint Vincent and the Grenadines|table=yes}} |- | [[Air Inuit]] || 7 || 7 || 0 || {{flaglist|Canada}} |- | [[LADE]] || 7 || 5 || 2 || {{flaglist|Argentina}} |- | [[Airfast Indonesia]]|| 6 || 6 || 0 || {{flaglist|Indonesia}} |- | [[Aviastar (Indonesia)|Aviastar Mandiri]] || 6 || 5 || 1 || {{flaglist|Indonesia}} |- | [[Manta Air]] || 6 || 5 || 1 || {{flaglist|Maldives}} |- | [[AirBorneo]] || 6 || 2 || 4 || {{flaglist|Malaysia}} |- | [[Merpati Nusantara Airlines|Merpati]] || 6 || 0 || 6 || {{flaglist|Indonesia}} |}

==Accidents and incidents==

{{table alignment}} {| class="wikitable sortable col3center" |+ Accidents with fatalities<ref>{{cite web |url= https://aviation-safety.net/database/dblist.php?sorteer=casualties,datekey&kind=%&cat=%&page=1&field=typecode&var=182% |title=406 occurrences in the ASN safety database |publisher= Flight Safety Foundation |date= 30 August 2018}}</ref> ! Date ! Flight ! Fatalities ! Location ! Country !class="unsortable"| Event |- | 23 November 1968 || [[Golden West Airlines#History|Cable Commuter Airlines]] || 9 || [[Santa Ana, California|Santa Ana]], California || United States || While landing, impacted light pole in fog, {{cvt|1.8|mi}} short of [[John Wayne Airport]].<ref>{{ASN accident|id=19681123-0|title=de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 200 N7666 Santa Ana-Orange County Airport, CA (SNA) |access-date=30 May 2022}}</ref> |- | 29 June 1972 || [[1972 Lake Winnebago mid-air collision|Air Wisconsin Flight 671]] || 8 || [[Lake Winnebago]], Wisconsin || United States || Collided mid-air with a [[North Central Airlines]] [[Convair 580]] carrying five, killing all.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://libraryonline.erau.edu/online-full-text/ntsb/aircraft-accident-reports/AAR73-09.pdf |title=National Transportation Safety Board "Aircraft Accident Report North Central Airlines, Inc., Allison Convair 340/440 (CV-580), N90858, and Air Wisconsin, Inc., DHC-6, N4043B, Near Appleton, Wisconsin, June 29, 1972, adopted April 25, 1973|publisher=[[National Transportation Safety Board]] Report Number NTSB-AAR-73-09 |access-date=5 July 2017}}</ref> |- | 5 January 1975 || [[Argentine Army Aviation]] || 13 || [[Tucumán Province]] || Argentina || Crashed due to bad weather and lack of a [[flight plan]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://aeropuertotucuman.blogspot.com/2011/04/36-anos-de-un-fatal-accidente-en-los.html |title=A 36 años de un fatal accidente en los cerros tucumanos |date=4 April 2011 |access-date=9 October 2017 |language=es}}</ref> |- | 9 January 1975 || [[Golden West Airlines Flight 261]] || 12 || [[Whittier, California|Whittier]], California || United States || Collided with a [[Cessna 150]], also killing its two occupants |- | 3 May 1976 || Demonstration || 11 || [[Monze Air Force Base]], Monze || Zambia || Crashed on takeoff<ref>{{ASN accident|id=19760503-0 | title=ASN Aircraft accident de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 C-GDHA Monze|access-date=16 February 2023}}</ref> |- | 12 December 1976 || [[Allegheny Commuter Flight 977]]|| 3 || [[Cape May Airport]], New Jersey || United States || Crashed short of the runway |- | 14 January 1977 || [[Pacific Western Airlines]] Flight 405|| 12 || [[Northwest Regional Airport Terrace-Kitimat]], British Columbia|| Canada || Crashed into mountain on approach. |- | 18 January 1978 || [[Frontier Airlines (1950–1986)|Frontier Airlines]] || 3 || [[Pueblo, Colorado|Pueblo]], Colorado || United States || Crashed during a training flight<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fal-1.tripod.com/ObitsPilots.html |title=Pilots, Dispatchers and Flight Operations|access-date=24 August 2010}}</ref> |- | 2 September 1978 || [[Airwest Airlines]]|| 11 || [[Coal Harbour]], British Columbia || Canada || Approach [[Loss of control (aeronautics)|loss of control]] after a [[corrosion|corroded]] rod failed and a [[Flap (aeronautics)|flap]] retracted<ref>{{ASN accident|id=19780902-0 |title=de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 200 C-FAIV Vancouver-Coal Harbour SPB, BC (CXH) |access-date=30 August 2018}}</ref> |- | 18 November 1978 || [[Jonestown]] cult rescue || || [[Port Kaituma]] || Guyana || [[Jonestown#Port Kaituma airstrip shootings|Attacked by cultists]] while rescuing people; aircraft was disabled after gunshots damaged one of the engine's fuel control modules and tires<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-03-02 |title=Hitching a ride down memory lane (Part II) : -With Captain Astill Paul - Guyana Chronicle |url=https://guyanachronicle.com/2013/03/02/hitching-a-ride-down-memory-lane-part-ii-with-captain-astill-paul/ |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=guyanachronicle.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=John Richard |date=1978-10-30 |title=Telegram From the Embassy in Guyana to the Department of State |url=https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1977-80v23/d293 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://longreads.com/2014/11/12/escape-from-jonestown/ | title=Escape from Jonestown| date=12 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Surviving-the-Heart-of-Darkness-Twenty-years-2979166.php | title=Surviving the Heart of Darkness / Twenty years later, Jackie Speier remembers how her companions and rum helped her endure the night of the Jonestown massacre| date=13 November 1998}}</ref> |- | 4 December 1978 || [[Rocky Mountain Airways Flight 217]] || 2 || [[Buffalo Pass (Continental Divide)|Buffalo Pass]], Colorado || United States || Survivable impact on snow, severe icing and mountain-wave downdraft<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.planeandpilotmag.com/article/after-the-accident-twin-otter-crash-in-the-rockies-from-40-years-ago/|title=After the Accident: Twin Otter Crash In The Rockies From 40 Years Ago|first=Peter|last=Katz|website=Plane & Pilot Magazine|date=7 January 2019 }}</ref> |- | 30 May 1979 || [[Downeast Airlines Flight 46]] || 17 || [[Rockland, Maine|Rockland]], Maine || United States || Departed from Boston, crashed {{cvt|1.2|mi}} away from [[Knox County Regional Airport]] |- |17 June 1979 |[[Air New England Flight 248]] |1 |[[Yarmouth, Massachusetts|Yarmouth]], Massachusetts |United States |[[Controlled flight into terrain]] (CFIT) into a heavily wooden forest during approach. |- | 24 July 1981 || [[Air Madagascar]] Flight 112 || 19 || [[Maroantsetra]] || Madagascar || [[Controlled flight into terrain]] (CFIT) into a mountain in cloudy conditions<ref>{{ASN accident|id=19810724-0 |title=de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 5R-MGB Maroantsetra Airport (WMN)|access-date=6 July 2019}}</ref> |- | 31 July 1981 || [[1981 Panamanian Air Force Twin Otter crash|Panamanian Air Force FAP-205]] || 7 || [[Coclé Province]] || Panama || Killed President [[Omar Torrijos]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mensual.prensa.com/mensual/contenido/2005/03/05/hoy/portada/152861.html |title=24 years after the accident|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100711051640/http://mensual.prensa.com/mensual/contenido/2005/03/05/hoy/portada/152861.html |archive-date=11 July 2010 |website=Prensa.com |access-date=5 March 2005}}</ref> cause disputed |- | 21 February 1982 || [[Pilgrim Airlines Flight 458]] || 1 || [[Scituate Reservoir]], Rhode Island || United States || Emergency landing after a fire broke out on board<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR8207.pdf |title=National Transportation Safety Board Aircraft Accident Report NTSB-AAR-82-7|work=[[National Transportation Safety Board]] |date=20 July 1982 |access-date=5 July 2017}}</ref> |- | 11 March 1982 || [[Widerøe Flight 933]] || 15 || [[Barents Sea]] near [[Gamvik Municipality|Gamvik]] || Norway || A mechanical fault in the [[Elevator (aeronautics)|elevator]] control system caused the pilots to lose control of [[Aircraft flight dynamics|pitch]] |- | 14 June 1986 || [[Rescue 807 crashes|RCAF Twin Otter 13807]] || 8 || Cox Hill, Alberta|| Canada || Crashed due to illusion whilst searching for a missing aircraft. |- | 18 June 1986 || [[1986 Grand Canyon mid-air collision|Grand Canyon Airlines Flight 6]] || 20 || [[Grand Canyon]],<br>Arizona || United States || Collided with a Helitech [[Bell 206]], also killing its five occupants |- | 4 August 1986 || [[LIAT Flight 319]] || 13 || [[Saint Vincent (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)|St. Vincent]] || St. Vincent and the Grenadines || Crashed into the [[Caribbean Sea]]. The aircraft was en route between St. Lucia and St. Vincent when it crashed due to poor weather conditions, while on approach. |- | 28 October 1989 || [[Aloha IslandAir Flight 1712]]|| 20 || [[Molokai]], Hawaii || United States || Crashed into a mountain on approach to [[Molokai Airport]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://libraryonline.erau.edu/online-full-text/ntsb/aircraft-accident-reports/AAR90-05.pdf|title=National Transportation Safety Board Aircraft Accident Report NTSB/AAR-90/05|work=[[National Transportation Safety Board]]|date=25 September 1990|access-date=5 July 2017}}</ref> |- | 12 April 1990 || [[Widerøe Flight 839]] || 5 || outside [[Værøy Municipality|Værøy]] || Norway || Crashed in the ocean due to wind |- | 22 April 1992 || [[Perris Valley Airport#Accidents and incidents|Perris Valley Aviation]] || 16 || [[Perris Valley Airport]], California || United States || Fuel contamination, lost power and crashed near the runway end<ref>{{cite news |url=https://app.ntsb.gov/pdfgenerator/ReportGeneratorFile.ashx?EventID=20001211X14468&AKey=1&RType=Final&IType=MA |title=National Transportation Safety Board Aviation Accident Final Report Accident Number: LAX92MA183|work=[[National Transportation Safety Board]] |date=5 August 1993 |access-date=5 July 2017}}</ref> |- | 27 October 1993 || [[Widerøe Flight 744]] || 6 || east of [[Namsos (town)|Namsos]] || Norway || [[Controlled flight into terrain]] into forest on a hill during approach at night in bad weather |- | 17 December 1994 || [[Mission Aviation Fellowship]] || 28 || || Papua New Guinea || Crashed en route,<ref>{{cite web | url = https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D03EFD61238F93AA25751C1A962958260 | title = Airplane Crash Kills 28 In Papua New Guinea|publisher = New York Times|work=World News Briefs | date = 19 December 1994|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024174648/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/12/19/world/world-news-briefs-airplane-crash-kills-28-in-papua-new-guinea.html |archive-date=24 October 2012}}</ref> striking a mountain at {{cvt|6400|ft}}.<ref>{{ASN accident|id=19941217-0| title =de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 200 P2-MFS Olsobip | access-date=16 February 2023}}</ref> |- | 10 January 1995 || [[Merpati Nusantara Airlines Flight 6715]]|| 14 || [[Savu Sea|Molo Strait]] || Indonesia || Disappeared in bad weather from [[Sultan Muhammad Salahudin Airport]] to [[Frans Sales Lega Airport]], [[Ruteng]].<ref name=ASN>{{ASN accident|id=19950110-0 |title=de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 PK-NUK Molo Strait|access-date=27 June 2011}}</ref> |- | 30 November 1996 || [[ACES Colombia#Accidents and incidents|ACES Colombia Flight 148]] || 14 || near [[Medellín]] || Colombia || Crashed {{cvt|8|km|mi|order=flip|sigfig=1}} from [[Olaya Herrera Airport]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aerocivil.gov.co/AAeronautica/InvAccidentes/Accidentes/HK%202602.pdf|title=Informe de accidente De Havilland DHC 300 – ACES HK2602|publisher=Aeronautica civil de Colombia|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102200043/http://www.aerocivil.gov.co/AAeronautica/InvAccidentes/Accidentes/HK%202602.pdf |archive-date=2 January 2014}} (in Spanish)</ref> |- | 7 January 1997 || [[Samoa Airways#Accidents and incidents|Polynesian Airlines Flight 211]] || 3 || [[Mount Vaea]] || Samoa || [[Controlled flight into terrain]] in bad weather while diverting to [[Faleolo International Airport]] from [[Pago Pago]] to [[Apia]] |- |27 July 2000 |[[2000 Royal Nepal Airlines Twin Otter crash]] |25 |[[Jogbuda]] |Nepal |Crashed in mountain, killing all on board. |- | 24 March 2001 || [[Air Caraïbes Flight 1501]] || 19 || [[Saint Barthélemy]] || French West Indies || Crashed near [[Gustaf III Airport]], killing one on ground.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bea.aero/docspa/2001/f-es010324e/pdf/f-es010324e.pdf|title=Accident survenu le 24 mars 2001 sur l'île de Saint-Barthélemy (971) au DHC-6-300 « Twin-Otter » immatriculé F-OGES exploité par Caraïbes Air Transpor|language=FR|publisher=[[Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety]] (Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses pour la Sécurité de l'Aviation Civile)|date=7 October 2001|access-date=16 January 2011|archive-date=12 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312065305/http://www.bea.aero/docspa/2001/f-es010324e/pdf/f-es010324e.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- |22 August 2002 |[[2002 Shangri-La Air Twin Otter crash]] |18 |[[Pokhara]] |Nepal |[[Controlled flight into terrain|CFIT]] in mountain {{cvt|5|km|mi|order=flip|sigfig=1}} south-east of [[Pokhara Airport (domestic)|Pokhara Airport]], killing all on board. |- | 26 May 2006 || [[Air São Tomé and Príncipe#Incidents and accidents|Air São Tomé and Príncipe]] training flight || 4 || [[Ana Chaves Bay]], [[São Tomé Island]] || {{no wrap|São Tomé and Príncipe}} || Airline's sole aircraft, registered S9-BAL, crashed during training flight.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2 September 2006|title=Jornal de São Tomé|url=http://www.jornal.st/noticias.php?noticia=1839 |access-date=28 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060902162416/http://www.jornal.st/noticias.php?noticia=1839 |archive-date=2 September 2006}}</ref> |- |21 June 2006 |[[2006 Yeti Airlines Twin Otter crash]] |9 |[[Jumla (town)|Jumla]] |Nepal |[[Controlled flight into terrain|CFIT]], have [[Stall (fluid dynamics)|stalled]], crashed eastern edge a runway in [[Jumla Airport]], killing all on board. |- | 9 August 2007 || [[Air Moorea Flight 1121]] || 20 || [[Mo'orea]] || French Polynesia || Bound for [[Tahiti]], crashed shortly after takeoff near [[Moorea Airport]]<ref>{{cite web|last1=Clark|first1=Amy S.|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/20-thought-dead-in-pacific-plane-crash/ |title=20 Thought Dead In Pacific Plane Crash |publisher=[[CBS News]]|date= 9 August 2007|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101112171251/https://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/08/09/world/main3154155.shtml |archive-date=12 November 2010}}</ref> |- | 6 May 2007 || [[French Air and Space Force]] || 9 || [[Sinai Peninsula]] || Egypt || Crashed while supporting the [[Multinational Force and Observers]]<ref>{{ASN accident|id=20070506-0 |title=L'Armée de L'Air 742/CB|access-date=15 December 2009}}</ref> |- | 8 October 2008 || [[Yeti Airlines Flight 101]] || 18 || [[Lukla]] || Nepal || Destroyed on landing at [[Tenzing-Hillary Airport]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7658258.stm |title=Tourists die in Nepal air crash|date=8 October 2008 |publisher=[[BBC News]]|access-date=8 October 2008}}</ref> |- | 2 August 2009 || [[Merpati Nusantara Airlines Flight 9760D]] || 16 || near [[Oksibil]] || Indonesia || Crashed about {{cvt|22|km|mi|order=flip}} north of [[Oksibil]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Hradecky|first1=Simon|url=http://avherald.com/h?article=41d9f230 |title=Crash: Merpati DHC6 enroute on Aug 2nd 2009, aircraft impacted mountain|publisher=[[Aviation Herald]]|date=16 October 2009|access-date=15 May 2010}}</ref> |- | 11 August 2009 || [[Airlines PNG Flight 4684]] || 13 || Kokoda Valley || Papua New Guinea || Crashed on a mountain whilst en route from [[Port Moresby]] to [[Kokoda]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/world/mixed-weather-reported-before-png-plane-crashed/story-e6frfkui-1225760740330 |title=Mixed weather reported before PNG plane crashed|publisher=[[The Australian]]|date=2 August 2009|access-date=15 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005182402/https://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/world/mixed-weather-reported-before-png-plane-crashed/story-e6frfkui-1225760740330 |archive-date=5 October 2013}}</ref> |- | 15 December 2010 || [[2010 Tara Air Twin Otter crash]] || 22 || [[Bilandu]] Forest || Nepal || A [[Tara Air]] Twin Otter crashed after take-off on a domestic flight from Lamidanda to Kathmandu, Nepal<ref>{{cite web|last1=Shrestha|first1=Manesh|url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/12/15/nepal.plane.crash/index.html?hpt=T2 |title=22 dead in Nepal plane crash|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=15 December 2010|access-date=2 February 2012}}</ref> |- | 20 January 2011 || [[Ecuadorian Air Force]] || 6 || El Capricho || Ecuador || En route from [[Río Amazonas Airport]] to [[Mayor Galo de la Torre Airport]]<ref>{{ASN accident|id=20110120-0 |title=de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 FAE449 El Capricho area |access-date= 30 August 2018}}</ref> |- | 22 September 2011 || [[Arctic Sunwest Charters#Accidents and incidents|Arctic Sunwest Charters]] || 2 || [[Yellowknife]], Northwest Territories || Canada || Float plane crashed in the street, injuring seven.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/yellowknife-plane-crash-kills-2-people-1.987369 |title=Yellowknife plane crash kills 2 people|publisher=CBC|date=22 September 2011|access-date=2 February 2012}}</ref> |- | 23 January 2013 || [[Kenn Borek Air#Accidents and incidents|Kenn Borek Air]] || 3 || [[Mount Elizabeth (Antarctica)|Mount Elizabeth]] || Antarctica || Skiplane lost en route from the [[South Pole]] to [[Terra Nova Bay]].<ref name=CTV-2013-01-23>{{cite news |url= https://www.ctvnews.ca/calgary/article/kenn-borek-plane-carrying-three-canadians-missing-in-antarctica/ |title= Kenn Borek plane carrying three Canadians missing in Antarctica |author= CTV News |publisher= CTV |date= 23 January 2013 |access-date= 23 January 2013 }}</ref><ref name=ASN-2013-01-23>{{ASN accident|id=20130123-0 |title=de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 C-GKBC Mount Elizabeth |access-date= 25 January 2013 }}</ref><ref name=SRC-2013-01-23>{{cite news |url= http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/International/2013/01/23/006-antarctique-avion-disparu.shtml |title= Un avion transportant trois Canadiens est disparu en Antarctique |publisher= Station Radio-Canada |author= Radio-Canada |date= 23 January 2013 |access-date= 23 January 2013 |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/wreckage-of-missing-plane-found-crash-deemed-not-survivable-1.1130533 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20130219183644/http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/wreckage-of-missing-plane-found-crash-deemed-not-survivable-1.1130533 |url-status= dead |archive-date= 19 February 2013 |title= Wreckage of missing plane found, crash deemed 'not survivable' |publisher= CTV News |author= CTV News |date= 26 January 2013 |access-date= 26 January 2013 }}</ref> |- | 10 October 2013 || [[MASwings Flight 3002]] || 2 || [[Kudat]] || Malaysia || Crashed on landing at [[Kudat Airport]]<ref>{{ASN accident|id=20131010-0|title=de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 310 9M-MDM Kudat Airport (KUD)|access-date=16 February 2023}}</ref> |- | 16 February 2014 || [[Nepal Airlines Flight 183]] || 18 || {{no wrap|[[Arghakhanchi District]]}} || Nepal || En route to Jumla from Pokhara.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://avherald.com/h?article=47016e9c&opt=0 |title=Crash: Nepal DHC6 near Khidim on Feb 16th 2014, aircraft impacted terrain |publisher=Avherald.com |access-date=16 February 2014}}</ref> |- | 20 September 2014 || Hevilift || 4 || near [[Port Moresby]] || Papua New Guinea || Crashed on landing<ref>{{cite web|url=http://avherald.com/h?article=47ab211e&opt=0 |title=Accident: Hevilift DHC6 near Port Moresby on Sep 20th 2014, impact with terrain |publisher=Avherald.com |access-date=22 September 2014}}</ref> |- | 24 February 2016 || [[Tara Air Flight 193]] || 23 || [[Pokhara]] || Nepal || [[Tara Air]] crashed after takeoff<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/24/asia/nepal-missing-plane/index.html|title=Nepal plane crash: Tara Air plane goes down, 23 feared dead|author1=Sugam Pokharel|author2=Holly Yan|author3=Greg Botelho|date=24 February 2016|work=CNN}}</ref> |- | 2 October 2015 || [[Aviastar Flight 7503]] || 10 || [[Luwu Regency]] || Indonesia || [[Aviastar (Indonesia)|Aviastar]] pilot deviated from his route to [[Makassar]] |- | 30 August 2018 || [[Ethiopian Air Force]] || 18 || near [[Mojo, Ethiopia|Mojo]] || Ethiopia || From [[Dire Dawa]], crashed at a place called Nannawa<ref name="77R">{{cite web| url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/africa/Seventeen--killed-in-Ethiopia-military-plane-crash/4552902-4736254-13n050nz/index.html |title=17 killed in Ethiopia military plane crash |date=30 August 2018 |access-date=30 August 2018 | newspaper=[[The EastAfrican]] |first=Andualem |last=Sisay | location=Nairobi}}</ref> |- | {{no wrap|18 September 2019}} || {{no wrap|[[PT Carpediem Aviasi Mandiri]]}} || 4 || [[Papua (province)|Papua]] || Indonesia || From [[Timika]], crashed at Hoeya district<ref name="77S">{{cite web| url=https://regional.kompas.com/read/2019/09/25/10070821/jenazah-korban-pesawat-twin-otter-yang-jatuh-di-papua-berhasil-dievakuasi |title= Jenazah Korban Pesawat Twin Otter yang Jatuh di Papua Berhasil Dievakuasi |date=25 September 2019|access-date=26 September 2019|newspaper=[[Kompas]] |first=Irsul |last=Aditra | location=Timika}}</ref> |- | 29 May 2022 || [[Tara Air Flight 197]] || 22 || [[Mustang District]] || Nepal || Crashed after takeoff from [[Pokhara Airport]] |- |20 May 2023 || [not listed] || 2 || [[Half Moon Bay, CA|Half Moon Bay]], California || United States || Crashed into Half Moon Bay, California |- |27 December 2023 || [[Air Tindi]] Flight || 0 || [[Northwest Territories]] || Canada || Crashed {{cvt|300|km|mi|order=flip}} NE of [[Yellowknife]]<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/minor-injuries-after-air-tindi-plane-carrying-10-goes-down-in-n-w-t-1.7070120 |publisher=CBC|title= Hercules aircraft reaches passengers and crew of Air Tindi crash in N.W.T.| date=27 December 2023 | access-date=28 December 2023 }}</ref> |- | 20 October 2024 || [[SAM Air]]|| 4 || [[Pohuwato Regency]] || Indonesia || Crashed while attempting to land at [[Panua Pohuwato Airport|Panua Airport]] in Pohuwato Regency, [[Gorontalo]].<ref>{{cite web| url=https://en.antaranews.com/news/330461/sam-airs-dhc-6-plane-crashed-in-gorontalo-4-killed | title= SAM Air's DHC-6 plane crashed in Gorontalo, 4 killed | publisher=[[Antara News]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://jakartaglobe.id/news/small-plane-crashes-in-gorontalo-killing-4-people-onboard | title= Small Plane Crashes in Gorontalo, Killing 4 People Onboard | publisher=[[Jakarta Globe]]}}</ref> |- |25 April 2025 || [[Royal Thai Police]]|| 6 || [[Phetchaburi Province]] || Thailand || Crashed into the sea near [[Hua Hin Airport]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-25 |title=A Thai police plane crashes in the sea, killing all 6 on board |url=https://apnews.com/article/thailand-police-plane-crash-hua-hin-28d0337255c5b87d51f7e7727f57b125 |access-date=2025-04-25 |website=AP News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3011095/small-plane-crashes-into-sea-near-hua-hin-airport |publisher=BangkokPost|title= Small plane crashes into sea near Hua Hin airport| date=25 April 2025 | access-date=25 April 2025 }}</ref> |}

==Specifications== [[File:De Havilland Canada UV-18A Twin Otter 3-view line drawing.png|thumb|de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 3-view drawing]]

{| class="wikitable" |- ! Series ! 100<ref name=100-300specs>{{cite web |url= https://www.airliners.net/aircraft-data/de-havilland-canada-dhc-6-twin-otter/181 |title= De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter |work= The International Directory of Civil Aircraft |author= Gerard Frawley |via= Airliners.net}}</ref> ! 300<ref name=100-300specs/> ! 400<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.vikingair.com/sites/default/files/documents/Twin%20Otter%20Series%20400%20Multi-Page%20Brochure.pdf |title= Twin Otter Series 400 |date= 7 July 2015 |publisher= Viking Aircraft }}</ref> |- ! Cockpit crew | colspan=3 | 1–2 |- ! Seating | colspan=2 | 20 || 19 |- ! Length | {{cvt|49|ft|6|in}} | colspan=2 | {{cvt|15.77|m|ftin|order=flip}} |- ! Height | colspan=3 | {{cvt|19|ft|6|in}} |- ! Wing | colspan=3 | {{cvt|19.81|m|ftin|order=flip}} span, {{cvt|39|m2|sqft|order=flip}} area ({{#expr:19.8/(39/19.8)round2}} AR) |- ! Empty weight | {{cvt|5850|lb|kg}} || {{cvt|7415|lb|kg}} || {{cvt|7100|lb|kg}} (no accommodation) |- ! [[Maximum takeoff weight|MTOW]] | {{cvt|10500|lb|kg}} | colspan=2 | {{cvt|12500|lb|kg}}{{efn|military -400: {{cvt|14000|lb|kg}}}} |- ! Payload | {{cvt|2150|lb|kg}} over {{cvt|727|nmi|km}} | {{cvt|2500|lb|kg}} over {{cvt|700|nmi|km}}<br />{{cvt|1900|lb|kg}} over {{cvt|920|nmi}}{{efn|name=LRtank}} | {{cvt|4061|lb|kg}} over {{cvt|100|nmi}}<br />{{cvt|3031|lb|kg}} over {{cvt|400|nmi|km}} |- ! Fuel capacity | || || {{cvt|378|USgal|L}},{{efn|name=LRtank|{{cvt|89|USgal|L}} optional wingtip tank for {{cvt|3190|lb|kg}} of fuel}} {{cvt|2590|lb|kg}} |- ! Turboprops (×2) | [[Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6|P&WC PT6]]A-20 || PT6A-27 || PT6A-34 |- ! Unit Power | {{cvt|578|shp|kW}} || {{cvt|620|shp|kW}} || {{cvt|750|hp|kW|0|order=flip}} |- ! Max. Cruise | {{cvt|160|kn|km/h}} || {{cvt|182|kn|km/h}} || {{cvt|182|knots|km/h}} (FL100) |- ! Takeoff to {{cvt|50|ft|m}} | || || STOL {{cvt|1200|ft|m}}; [[CTOL]] {{cvt|1490|ft|m}};<ref name=400TO>{{cite web |url= https://www.vikingair.com/sites/default/files/Viking-Twin-Otter-Series-400-Technical-Specifications-R-01-2018.pdf |title= Twin Otter Series 400 - Technical Specifications and Standard Equipment List |date= 26 July 2024 |publisher= Viking Aircraft }}</ref> |- ! Landing from 50&nbsp;ft | || || STOL {{cvt|1050|ft|m}}; CTOL {{cvt|1510|ft|m}};<ref name=400TO/> |- ! Stall Speed | {{cvt|65|mph|kn km/h|order=out}} || || |- ! Ferry [[Range (aircraft)|Range]] | {{cvt|771|nmi|km}} || || {{cvt|799|nmi|km}}{{efn|name=LRperf|{{cvt|989|nmi|km}} ferry range or 8.76&nbsp;hours of endurance with optional wingtip tanks}} |- ! Endurance | || || 6.94&nbsp;hours{{efn|name=LRperf}} |- ! Ceiling | colspan=3 | {{cvt|25000|ft|m}} |- ! Climb rate | || colspan=2 | {{cvt|1,600|ft/min|m/s}} |- ! FL100 fuel burn<br />{{cvt|146|knots|km/h}} | colspan= 2 | || {{cvt|468.2|lb/h}}<br />{{cvt|0.311|nmi/lb|km/kg}} |- ! Power/mass | {{cvt|{{#expr:578*2/10500round2}}|hp/lb}} || {{cvt|{{#expr:620*2/12500round2}}|hp/lb}} || {{cvt|{{#expr:750*2/12500round2}}|hp/lb}} |}

=== Table notes === {{Notelist}}

==See also== {{Portal|Aviation|Canada}} {{aircontent| |related= * [[de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter]] * [[de Havilland Canada Dash 7]] |similar aircraft= * [[Antonov An-28]] * [[Britten-Norman Trislander]] * [[CASA C-212 Aviocar]] * [[Dornier 228]] * [[Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante]] * [[GAF Nomad]] N24 * [[Harbin Y-12]] * [[IAI Arava]] * [[Indonesian Aerospace N-219]] * [[Let L-410 Turbolet]] * [[PZL M28 Skytruck]] * [[Short SC.7 Skyvan]] |lists= |see also= }}

==References== ===Notes=== {{Reflist}}

===Bibliography=== *{{cite journal |last1=Harding|first1=Stephen|title=Canadian Connection: US Army Aviation's Penchant for Canadian Types |journal=Air Enthusiast |date=November–December 1999|issue=84|pages=72–74 |issn=0143-5450}} * Hotson, Fred W. ''The de Havilland Canada Story.'' Toronto: CANAV Books, 1983. {{ISBN|0-07-549483-3}}. * Rossiter, Sean. ''Otter & Twin Otter: The Universal Airplanes''. Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre, 1998. {{ISBN|1-55054-637-6}}.

===Further reading=== * Smith P.R., ''DHC-6, DHC-7, DHC-8'', Air Portfolio, no. 6, Jane's Publishing Co. Ltd, London

==External links== {{Commons}} * {{Official website|1=https://www.vikingair.com/twin-otter-information/}}

{{de Havilland Canada}} {{Viking Air}} {{CF aircraft}} {{Aircraft manufactured in Canada}} {{US STOL and VTOL aircraft}} {{Authority control}}

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