Perris Valley - Perris Valley

On April 22, 1992 at 11:09 AM, Perris Valley - Perris Valley experienced a crash involving De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter, operated by Perris Valley Aviation, with the event recorded near Perris Valley California.

The flight was categorized as skydiving / paratroopers and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

22 people were known to be on board, 16 fatalities were recorded, 6 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 72.7%.

Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 2, passengers on board: 20, passenger fatalities: 14, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is other causes. The ground loader had fueled the airplane from the airport fuel truck. He stated that the flight crew did not sump the fuel tanks after they were fueled. Immediately after takeoff the right engine lost power, the right wing lowered to about 90°, and the airplane impacted the ground adjacent to the runway. Then forward fuel tank, which provides fuel to the right engine, was found to contain about 8 gallons of a heavily contaminated mixture composed of water, an emulsifying agent, and bacterial growth. The fuel from the airport fuel truck and main underground tank contained the same mixture. Fuel had been transferred from the underground tank to the truck on the evening preceding the accident. The left propeller control was found seized in the feather position; left propeller blades in the near feather position. Six skydivers were injured while 16 other occupants including both pilots were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration N141PV, MSN 141, year of manufacture 1968.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 33.8351°, -117.2127°.