DEHAVILLAND DHC-6-300

Full Narrative

On May 6, 2023, about 1450 Pacific daylight time, a DeHavilland DHC-6-300, N142SA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Boulder City, Nevada. The 2 pilots and 11 passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 non-scheduled air taxi flight.

The pilot reported that while operating in visual flight rules (VFR) weather conditions from Grand Canyon Bar Ten Airstrip (1Z1) Whitmore, Arizona to Boulder City Municipal Airport (BVU). While enroute to BVU, they observed adverse weather along their route of flight and diverted south with the intention of landing at Henderson Executive Airport (HND), Henderson, Nevada if the weather worsened. The pilot stated that the weather conditions improved east of BVU and they turned towards the airport. About 7 miles southeast of BVU while maneuvering for weather, the airplane encountered brief light turbulence and hail that lasted about 5 to 6 seconds. The pilot stated that following the encounter, they landed at BVU uneventfully.

A convective significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET) 11W was valid on the day of the accident from 1355 to 1459, 20 miles southeast of Las Vegas, Nevada. An isolated thunderstorm was moving from 300° at 15 knots with the tops of the clouds ay about 33,000 ft. The valid time of the report ended at 1555.

Post flight examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to both wings, , vertical stabilizer, and horizontal stabilizers.