Otter 163 was delivered to the United States Navy on 24th October 1956 with BuAer serial 144673. It was one of a batch of six Otters delivered to VX-6 Squadron during September/October 1956 and was flown initially to the Squadron's base at Quonset Point Naval Air Station, Rhode Island. All six Otters were transported to the Antarctic, some by ship and some on board USAF C- 124 Globemasters.
On 3rd January 1959 144673 flew from its base at McMurdo on a re-supply flight and photo mission to Marble Point. On take-off from Marble Point for the return to McMurdo, instead of turning to the left which would have routed the flight over open water, the Otter turned to the right, towards mountainous terrain. The aircraft made a steep turn towards a glacier, the wing hit a small knoll, and the Otter cart-wheeled and crashed. The pilot and co-pilot were killed and the three passengers seriously injured. At the time of its destruction, 144673 had flown 373 hours in Naval service.
Full history courtesy of Karl E. Hayes © from DHC-3 Otter: A History (2005).
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