Grand Canyon Airlines Flight 6
Encyclopedia
Grand Canyon Airlines
Call sign Canyon 6 was a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter
that collided with a Bell 206
helicopter call sign Tech 2 over Grand Canyon National Park
on June 18, 1986. All 25 passengers and crew on board the two aircraft were killed.
On the morning of the accident Grand Canyon Airlines Canyon 6 took off from Grand Canyon National Park Airport
at 8:55am for a sightseeing flight over Grand Canyon National Park
with two pilots and 18 passengers on board; the pilots were operating their second scenic flight for the day. At 9:13am a Bell 206 call sign Tech 2 operated by Helitech took off from the company's heliport in Tusayan, Arizona
for a 30 minute sightseeing flight. At approximately 9:33 at an altitude of approximately 6500 ft (1,981 m) the Bell 206 and DHC-6 collided, with the helicopter on the left of the Twin Otter and the two aircraft traveling at approximately right angles to each other. The helicopter's main rotor struck the nose landing gear and tail of the Twin Otter. The Bell 206's main rotor was torn off and disintegrated; and the Twin Otter's tail separated; causing both aircraft to crash. All 20 passengers and crew on Canyon 6, and the pilot and four passengers on the Bell 206, were killed in the accident.
found that the crews of the two aircraft failed to 'see and avoid' each other, but could not determine why this occurred due to the lack of recorded flight data (there being no requirement for such recording for the scenic flights that were being operated). The accident investigation also found that the limited number of scenic points of interest in the Grand Canyon concentrated flights over these points, increasing the risk of collision; and recommended that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulate the separation of flight routes of fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. Following the accident the FAA imposed changes to the operation of scenic flights over the Grand Canyon.
Grand Canyon Airlines
Grand Canyon Airlines is an FAR Part 135 airline headquartered on the grounds of Grand Canyon National Park Airport in the Tusayan census-designated place in unincorporated Coconino County, Arizona, United States. It operates sightseeing tours over the Grand Canyon...
Call sign Canyon 6 was a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter
De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter
The DHC-6 Twin Otter is a Canadian 19-passenger STOL utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada and currently produced by Viking Air. The aircraft's fixed tricycle undercarriage, STOL abilities and high rate of climb have made it a successful cargo, regional passenger airliner and MEDEVAC...
that collided with a Bell 206
Bell 206
The Bell 206 is a family of two-bladed, single- or twin-engine helicopters, manufactured by Bell Helicopter at its Mirabel, Quebec plant. Originally developed as the Bell YOH-4 for the United States Army's Light Observation Helicopter program, the 206 failed to be selected...
helicopter call sign Tech 2 over Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park is the United States' 15th oldest national park and is located in Arizona. Within the park lies the Grand Canyon, a gorge of the Colorado River, considered to be one of the Wonders of the World. The park covers of unincorporated area in Coconino and Mohave counties.Most...
on June 18, 1986. All 25 passengers and crew on board the two aircraft were killed.
The collision
Grand Canyon National Park Airport
Grand Canyon National Park Airport is a state-owned public-use airport located in Tusayan, a CDP in unincorporated Coconino County, Arizona, United States. It is near Grand Canyon National Park, seven miles from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon...
at 8:55am for a sightseeing flight over Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park is the United States' 15th oldest national park and is located in Arizona. Within the park lies the Grand Canyon, a gorge of the Colorado River, considered to be one of the Wonders of the World. The park covers of unincorporated area in Coconino and Mohave counties.Most...
with two pilots and 18 passengers on board; the pilots were operating their second scenic flight for the day. At 9:13am a Bell 206 call sign Tech 2 operated by Helitech took off from the company's heliport in Tusayan, Arizona
Tusayan, Arizona
Tusayan is a town in Coconino County, Arizona, United States. Prior to its incorporation in 2010, it was a census-designated place . A resort town near the south entrance to Grand Canyon National Park, Tusayan is served by Grand Canyon National Park Airport...
for a 30 minute sightseeing flight. At approximately 9:33 at an altitude of approximately 6500 ft (1,981 m) the Bell 206 and DHC-6 collided, with the helicopter on the left of the Twin Otter and the two aircraft traveling at approximately right angles to each other. The helicopter's main rotor struck the nose landing gear and tail of the Twin Otter. The Bell 206's main rotor was torn off and disintegrated; and the Twin Otter's tail separated; causing both aircraft to crash. All 20 passengers and crew on Canyon 6, and the pilot and four passengers on the Bell 206, were killed in the accident.
Cause
The National Transportation Safety BoardNational Transportation Safety Board
The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent U.S. government investigative agency responsible for civil transportation accident investigation. In this role, the NTSB investigates and reports on aviation accidents and incidents, certain types of highway crashes, ship and marine...
found that the crews of the two aircraft failed to 'see and avoid' each other, but could not determine why this occurred due to the lack of recorded flight data (there being no requirement for such recording for the scenic flights that were being operated). The accident investigation also found that the limited number of scenic points of interest in the Grand Canyon concentrated flights over these points, increasing the risk of collision; and recommended that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulate the separation of flight routes of fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. Following the accident the FAA imposed changes to the operation of scenic flights over the Grand Canyon.