Maldivian Islands

Flight FLT371301, a Viking Air (De Havilland) DHC-6-300 aircraft with registration mark 8Q-MAN, crashed into the sea approximately 3 km southeast of Kuredu (KUR) at 1733 hrs on 2 July 2015. The aircraft was flying under visual flight rules (VFR) on a charter flight, carrying 11 passengers from Komandoo (KOM) to Kuredu (KUR). According to the operating crew, the aircraft was on final approach, northwest bound, to land at KUR. At approximately 400 feet, on selection of flaps to the fully down position, the aircraft pitched up and the aircraft was vibrating. The pilot flying (PF) could not control the aircraft and asked the PIC to take over the controls. The aircraft was in a nose-high attitude when the PIC took over the controls. The stall warning light illuminated. The PIC applied full left rudder, moved the control column forward and put the power levers to idle to recover the aircraft. The aircraft, however, did not respond to these actions. Flaps were then moved to the fully up position. The PIC was gaining some control at this stage but the aircraft continued turning right, losing height and impacted the sea before he could regain full control of the aircraft. On initial impact the left float detached. The aircraft then bounced and landed on the right float causing the right float to also detach from the aircraft. The right float was, however, trapped between the airframe and the engine for several minutes. With both floats detached from the aircraft and the right float still trapped between the airframe and engine, the aircraft stayed afloat until all passengers and crew evacuated. At the same time the aircraft started tilting left causing water to rush inside and started sinking. All 11 passengers and three crew were able to evacuate the aircraft without injury, before the aircraft completely sank. The accident was notified to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Committee (AICC) at 1750 hrs. Investigation began on the same day. Inspectors arrived at the scene at 2300 hrs, about five and a half hours after the accident occurred.

The 8Q-TMD aircraft took-off from water runway of Male’ International Airport North Bound Left (NL) at 0820 hrs local time on 11 July 2011 for a routine training flight bound to Maadhiggaru Falhu (a lagoon located approximately 15 nautical miles south west of the Male’ International Airport). The sky was clear with good visibility and wind 8-10 knots from west and south west. During the training 5 landings and take-offs were made simulating different conditions of flight. Crew confirmed that all these landings and take-offs were made inside the lagoon except the last landing where the crew decided to land on open water outside the lagoon. Crew were simulating single engine landing with a tail wind. As per the crew, the aircraft initial touch down was smooth. However, they stroke a wave which made the aircraft bounce up for about 20 feet. With the low power the aircraft hit the water again, resulting in multiple float attachments to break. Both front and main spreader bars broke and floats rose up twisted, hitting the engine bottom cowlings. Propeller cut was found on top front of both floats.

The 8Q-MAG aircraft departed at 0945hrs, with 3 crew and 4 passengers on board, for a Photo Flight around the Lagoon of Halaveli (North Ari Atoll) from the floating platform ( fixed to jetty) of Halaveli (North Ari Atoll). The sky was clear with good visibility and wind, 8-10 knots, from westerly direction. The estimated flight time for the flight was 40 minutes. The aircraft took off westbound. After levelling the aircraft the co-pilot gave his seat to the cameraman, one of the passengers. The co-pilot remained at third row left seat from thereon until the aircraft met the accident. According to the crew and passengers the aircraft made few orbits (right bank) around the island at the initial levelled height and, then descended lower heights and made few more orbits around the lagoon for photography. The passenger seated at the cabin wearing the headset informed the PIC that they got all the shots they wanted and now he could land. PIC started a descending turn (right bank) while keeping the passenger at the co-pilot seat in order to give a different view to him. Before the PIC could complete the turn, the right wing and/or float hit the water. The accident resulted in both wings being broken at the root. Left float was detached and right float got stuck, between the engine and the fuselage, blocking the co-pilot exit. Empennage was twisted upside down. The depth of the lagoon at the site of wreckage was about 1 meter. All the passengers and crew were able to escape the aircraft without any fatalities.

14th July 2008 was a Monday; the busiest day of the week where there is an average of 150-200 movements. 8Q-MAS completed six sectors prior to the accident, with the same flight crew. Sixteen pieces of baggage were loaded, in the aft cabin, with total weight of 458 lbs. The flight manifest signed by Pilot in Command indicated that the aircraft was loaded up to 11874 lbs. The aircraft was boarded with 14 passengers (7 females, 6 males and 1 child) and the flight manifest used approved weights of 77 lbs Child, 181 lbs for male and 141 lbs for female to calculate the aircraft weight. The aircraft had 930 lbs of fuel. This particular aircraft was a short nose twin otter aircraft, with main loading in aft cabin. The MAT seaplane operation was based on a day VFR, non-schedule and a self dispatch system. All pre-flight duties were completed by the crew. The weather was windy and sea was rough. The aircraft departed at 12.11 hrs from MAT dock at Male International Airport, Water Aerodrome to Adaaran Club Bathala with 14 passengers total: 10 passengers to Adaaran Club Bathala, 2 passengers to Nika Maldives and 2 Passengers to W Retreat and Spa (Fesdu). The estimated flight time to destination was 20 minutes. The W Retreat and Spa Maldives Resort’s Speed Boat (Angelina) (a 34 ft Triana Express) was moored at a buoy (located at 04 04’ 43.6” N, 072 56’ 37.1” E) used by MAT to moor the aircrafts for night stops. The floating platform was located (04 04’ 43.5”N, 072 56’ 38.8”E) east of the buoy. The distance between the floating platform and buoy is around 165 feet. Around 12:30 the aircraft approached for landing near the floating platform. The wind was on a westerly direction 20 to 25 knots and the aircraft approached for a westbound landing. The aircraft made an orbit over the lagoon to inspect the water. The aircraft did a touchdown and was cutting the wave tops to find an appropriate location to stop, when it hit a big wave and was airborne. The aircraft veered to the left. The PIC declared to do a go around. The crew action was 10 degree flap, full throttle and Max Prop RPM. On climb the aircraft collided with the Speed Boat and the aircraft veered to the right and PIC was able to land on LH float.

Following an uneventful flight from Kadhdhoo Airport, the crew initiated the approach to Male Intl Airport. The copilot was the pilot-in-command. The aircraft landed on runway 36 at the speed of 95 knots some 600 metres past the runway threshold. After touchdown, the aircraft deviated from the centerline to the left and the copilot overcorrected, causing the aircraft to veer to the right. The captain took over control but this was too late. The aircraft overran, struck a concrete wall and crashed in the sea. All eight occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Upon landing on relative rough sea, the right float was torn off. The aircraft came to rest and partially sank few dozen meters offshore. All 16 occupants were rescued, some of them were slightly injured. The aircraft was written off.

While performing a maritime patrol flight over the Indian Ocean, the crew encountered technical problems and decided to divert to GAN AFB in the Maldivian Islands. The emergency landing was completed without further problem and there were no injuries. However, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Weather conditions at Gan AFB were poor with thunderstorm activity, heavy rain falls and low visibility. The captain decided to abandon the approach and made a go around before following a holding circuit for about 20 minutes, waiting for weather improvement. During a second approach, the crew failed to realize his altitude was insufficient (420 feet below the glide) when the airplane struck the water surface about three km short of runway threshold. All 20 occupants were evacuated while the aircraft was lost.

On touchdown, the airplane hit the ground. On impact, the undercarriage were sheared off and the airplane slid on its belly for few dozen yards before coming to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was reported that a cross wind was gusting to 23 knots at the time of the accident, which may contribute to the accident.