![[Video] DHC-4 Caribou Crashing after Take Off with Controls Locked](https://theaviationgeekclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/DHC-4-Caribou-crash.webp)
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The shocking footage in this post is the result of A Poor (or no) Preflight: a crew of three was on board the DHC-4 Caribou, and no one checked the controls free and clear before starting t/o roll. It hurts to watch this video, but it’s a dramatic reminder that there really are good reasons to do a thorough preflight and to make sure the controls are free.
This happened just north of Winnipeg, and the DHC-4 aircraft was the first version with PT-6-67 Turboprops. (‘Modernized’ Caribou.) The Canadian DOT concluded that the control locks were still locked when the aircraft took off.
According to the video description it is physically impossible to advance the throttles (past 1800 RPM) aboard the Caribou with the gust-lock in — but this aircraft had been modified (still Restricted Category) and the throttle quadrant was not properly rigged to accommodate the throttle levers for the turbine engines.
The DHC-4 Caribou was designed to provide military operators with a twin-engine STOL cargo transport aircraft with greater capacity than the Otter. The type also offered a rear loading capability.
The prototype DHC-4 Caribou (CF-KTK-X) was flown for the first time on Jul. 30, 1958.
The US Army was the largest operator of the DHC-4 Caribou. In 1961 De Havilland delivered the first 22 out of a total of 159 C-7s to the Army. Originally designated AC-1, the aircraft was redesignated CV-2 in 1962, and it retained that designation for the remainder of its Army service.
In January 1967, when responsibility for all fixed-wing tactical transports was transferred to the US Air Force, the Caribou received the designation C-7. During the Southeast Asia War, the Caribou’s STOL capability made it particularly suitable for delivering troops, supplies, and equipment to isolated outposts.
Some aircraft have been modified to turboprop power (two PWC PT6A-67T) by Pen Turbo Aviation and remain active in civilian and commercial hands.
