Global Fleet Update for 01-Nov-2023

Individual aircraft sales, register updates and aircraft movements

Cayman Airways Re-Tenders Requirement for DHC-6-300

With the original tender having been posted on 21-Apr-2023 with no successful bidders , Cayman has now made public a re-tender process that began on 18-Oct-2023. It identifies the requirement for one DHC-6-300 to purchase, with the tender to close on 18-Nov-2023. Requirements include less than 30,000 flight hours, and have no heavy maintenance due for at least 12-months.

Air Loyauté Grounds Last Twin Otter Due to Lack of Parts

On 13-Oct-2023, DHC-6-300 F-OIAY (MSN 507) landed in Nouméa on a scheduled service from L’ile and was then grounded as a result of lack of parts. The company also has DHC-6-300’s F-OIJI (MSN 277) and F-ONCA (MSN 840), which had already been grounded earlier. As a result Air Loyauté has put most employees on leave.

Manta Air Incident Landing at Malé

On October 06, 2023, about 1643 local time, a Twin Otter, registration 8Q-RAL operated on floats whilst on approach to MLE suffered loss of engine power on RH engine at about 350 feet altitude. The aircraft made a sudden right turn which resulted in the cockpit crew being unable to control the aircraft and declared emergency; but managed to land on water. At touchdown, the aircraft bounced and landed again. The aircraft was circling on water before it finally settled on water. The crew then shut down the right-had engine using the fuel lever: shutting off the fuel to the right-hand engine.

The aircraft was then taxied with the assistance of the rescue boat and finally docked on the fixed platform and the left engine shutdown, normally. The passengers disembarked through the main airstair door. An investigation was launched into identifying the cause(s) of the serious incident by the AICC.

 At the date of releasing the preliminary report, the results of the investigation carried out reveaI that:

•      The left-hand engine was operating normally;

•      The right-hand engine power lever was jammed at about idle position;

•      The right-hand propeller was in feather position with the propeller latch engaged; and

•     Right-hand propeller governor (CSU) was defective with the two-piece beta valve failed integral to the line replaceable unit.

Editorial Note: It has subsequently been stated by a TwinOtterWorld News subscriber that if the latch was engaged, then the propeller state should have been in fine rather than feathered.