Narrative:The aircraft, a Trans Maldivian Airways de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300, 8Q-TMT, experienced a left hand float collapse after striking the dock at Conrad Maldivian Resort, Rangali Island, while on taxi and became partially submerged.
The aircraft sustained substantial damage and the 3 crew and 14 passengers escaped uninjured.
During the 35-minute flight from Male to the Conrad Maldivian Resort, the weather was deteriorating with strong winds (approx 40-45 knots) from a westerly direction. The copilot, being pilot flying, landed the aircraft landed safely and the captain took over controls as a normal procedure and taxied through the channel for docking at the fixed platform attached to the main jetty.
Since it was a fixed platform the crew had difficulty docking the aircraft in strong tailwind and swells. At the first attempt to dock the aircraft ended up forward of the platform which made the crew to abort docking. On the second attempt to dock, the captain applied full reverse and right rudder while the co-pilot applied opposite aileron to overcome the strong winds as the aircraft approached the fixed platform.
However, the aircraft moved forward and hit the platform hard and the cabin crew, who was at his station on the left hand float, was flung into the water. On impact with the platform the left hand float attachments were sheared and the left hand propeller blades struck the platform surface while the right hand float lifted up and
struck the right hand propeller. The captain reported cutting off the fuel at the first impact. The aircraft started turning, pivoting at its nose near the platform then started drifting away due to the strong winds and swells.
Immediately after the impact water started seeping inside the aircraft. The captain attempted to secure the aircraft and the copilot was attempting to facilitate evacuation of the passengers. The cabin crew member swam to the aircraft and joined the crew in the evacuation process. All the passengers and crew were able to
evacuate the aircraft before the fuselage was fully submerged.
Probable Cause:
AICC determines that the probable cause(s) of the accident as follows:
Pilot in Command's miss judgement of wind condition and its effect during docking procedure resulting in the aircraft colliding with the docking platform at a very high speed. Major contributing factor was high tail winds and adverse weather condition prevailing at the time of accident.
Accident investigation:
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Investigating agency: | AICC Maldives |
Status: | Investigation completed |
Duration: | 38 days (1 months) | Accident number: | jan-12 | Download report: | Final report
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Classification:
Damaged on the ground
Sources:
»
Haveeru»
CAA Maldives
Follow-up / safety actions
AICC Maldives issued 6 Safety Recommendations
Issued: 16-AUG-2012 | To: | 8Q-TMT (1) |
Floating platform to be installed as an alternate docking option during adverse weather
conditions at locations where fixed platforms are used. |
Issued: 16-AUG-2012 | To: | 8Q-TMT (2) |
A procedure for the flight crew to get weather information (wind direction and speed) at all out
stations. |
Issued: 16-AUG-2012 | To: | 8Q-TMT (3) |
Operational limitations to be introduced for all operational phases (take-off, landing, docking,
beaching etc) of the flight. |
Issued: 16-AUG-2012 | To: | 8Q-TMT (4) |
Cabin crew to wear life vest while operating outside the aircraft. |
Issued: 16-AUG-2012 | To: | 8Q-TMT (5) |
"Decision making" to be emphasized in CRM training. |
Issued: 16-AUG-2012 | To: | 8Q-TMT (6) |
Review company procedure for medical examination of the crew after an accident. |
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Photos
accident date:
09-07-2012type: de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300
registration: N454MG
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does
not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Malé International Airport to Conrad Maldivian Resort, Rangali, Alifu Dhaalu Atoll as the crow flies is 110 km (69 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
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.