Antarctica: Antarctica Pilot Returns With Broken Twin Otter

Antarctica is one of the last remaining largely untouched regions of the Earth. The southernmost continent is also the coldest. Thermometers show temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius almost all year round, and only a few areas regularly reach above freezing in summer. But climate change is also becoming increasingly noticeable in Antarctica. Scientists from around the world are studying the effects at various research stations.

The most important means of transportation is the plane. There are more than 40 airports in Antarctica. They were built by different countries to be able to provide their research stations in this inhospitable place. Runways are made of packed snow, bare ice, loose soil or gravel.

Landing after traffic pattern

Two people had to experience firsthand how impassable the terrain can sometimes be in January 2023, like the one just posted. final report The British Aviation Authority shows. The 33-year-old pilot and scientist was flying in a DHC-6-300 Twin Otter built in 1982 on behalf of the British Antarctic Survey, the UK's polar research programme, from the Sky Blu field station to research station E322 near the 1,940-metre-high Mount Lymburner.

The map shows the locations traveled to. Image: Civil Aviation Authority

To be on the safe side, as required by the research program rules, the pilot circled the runway so he could assess the conditions. He then determined that the runway was fine and landed the plane without incident. On the ground, he noticed sastrugi, which are ridges in the ice where two plates slide past each other. Sastrugi are a major hazard when landing at an unprepared landing site in Antarctica.

Problems with the plane

So the pilot used bamboo sticks to mark out an 800-meter runway for a second aircraft that was coming in. He then started the aircraft with the VP-FBC registration on the runway he had marked. Just before takeoff, the pilot felt the right skid and pulled the nose of the aircraft to the right. He tried to correct this by flying, which proved difficult.

In addition, the rudder pedal covers had come off. The pilot therefore landed the Twin Otter on a fixed runway not far from the departure point at Castle in order to assess the damage and, if necessary, refuel the aircraft for the return flight to Sky Blu Field Station.

Return trip despite the damage

He found damage to the rudder pedals but believed the aircraft to be airworthy. Two hours later the aircraft landed back at the Sky Blue Field Station. Examination revealed further damage to the nose fairing, landing gear and lower bulkhead in front of the cockpit.

Damage to nose gear. Photo: Civil Aviation Authority

The pilot defended his decision to return despite the damage, in order to preserve the lives of his passengers and himself, as low temperatures can be life-threatening and there is no infrastructure at all in the area. The operator also came to the conclusion that it might be justified to fly a damaged aircraft if it could reduce the risk to personnel. The aircraft was repaired and returned to service.