Narrative:A float-equipped de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter sustained substantial damage in a heavy landing in Biyaadhoo Training Lagoon, Maldives. The two pilots on board were not injured.
The aircraft had departed from North bound left (NL) water runway of Male International Airport (MLE) at 08:20 local time for a routine training flight bound to Biyaadhoo Lagoon, the designated training area. The sky was clear with good visibility and wind 8-10 knots from west and south west.
During the training five landings and takeoffs were made simulating different conditions of flight. All these landings and takeoffs were made inside the lagoon except the last landing where the crew decided to land on open water outside the lagoon. The crew were simulating a tail wind/single engine landing.
As per the crew, the aircraft initial touch down was smooth. However, they stroke a wave which made the aircraft bounce foe about 20 feet. With the low power aircraft hit the water again with great impact, resulting multiple float attachments to break. Both front and main spreader bars broke and floats rose up, twisted and hitting the bottom engine cowlings. Propeller cuts were found on front of both floats. Also, the flaps as well as the flap selectors were found on the zero position.
Probable Cause:
CAUSAL FACTOR(S):
AICC determines that the probable cause(s) of the accident to be:
Impact with a high swell during landing followed by a high bounce and hard landing resulting in both float attachments being damaged and detached with major structural damages. Major contributing factor was higher than normal touch down speed due to abnormal landing configuration.
OTHER CONTRIBUTING FACTORS:
- Selection of inappropriate landing site (channel) and landing direction (tail wind) based on surface conditions present at that time.
- Simulation of multiple emergencies.
- Abnormal landing configuration (flaps at zero) for single engine landing.
- Time pressure to complete the training and return to commercial operations.
Accident investigation:
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Investigating agency: | AICC Maldives |
Status: | Investigation completed |
Duration: | 167 days (6 months) | Accident number: | Final report | Download report: | Final report
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Classification:
Bounced on landing
Runway mishap
Sources:
» TMA seaplane crash-lands near Biyaadhoo resort (Haveeru, 11-7-2011)
» Aviation authorities await seaplane crash report before considering safety review (Minivan News, 11-7-2011)
Follow-up / safety actions
AICC Maldives issued 6 Safety Recommendations
Issued: 25-DEC-2011 | To: Trans Maldivian Airways | 8Q-TMD (1) |
Operator to review the training SOPs on single engine operations and emergencies. |
Issued: 25-DEC-2011 | To: | 8Q-TMD (2) |
DHC-6 Twin Otter Full Flight Simulator (FFS) training is to be given to all Type Rating Instructors (TRI) and Type Rating Examiners (TRE). |
Issued: 25-DEC-2011 | To: CAD Maldives | 8Q-TMD (3) |
Civil Aviation Department to formally designate flight training areas. |
Issued: 25-DEC-2011 | To: | 8Q-TMD (4) |
Adequate time to be allocated for debriefing and review between training flights and
commercial flights for instructors and crew involved. |
Issued: 25-DEC-2011 | To: | 8Q-TMD (5) |
Proper planning of all the manoeuvres to meet the requirements of the training flight
and the time allocated. |
Issued: 25-DEC-2011 | To: | 8Q-TMD (6) |
No multiple emergencies to be simulated simultaneously on training flights. |
Show all...
Photos
accident date:
11-07-2011type: de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 310
registration: 8Q-TMD
Map
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.