In October 2020, A Trans Maldivian De Havilland DHC-6-300 Twin Otter rolled heavily during landing in Velana International Airport resulting in damages to the airframe, wings, engine, and propellers.
The Accident Investigation Coordinating Committee (AICC) released its final report of the accident 15th September 2021.
The Twin Otter registration 8Q-TMF was performing flight M8-702955 from Vommuli to Male’ with 11 passengers and 3 crew.
At the time of approach to VIA’s north right water runway, there was light rain over the field with winds from the west 290 at 20 knots.
During landing the Twin Otter suddenly rolled sharply to the right reaching about 60 degrees of bank angle with the right-wing digging into the water.
The aircraft turned sharply to the right essentially performing a U-Turn, which then resulted in the aircraft rolling to the left rapidly with the left-wing and left propeller blades impacting the water.
The aircraft subsequently came to a standstill in an upright attitude on both floats and taxied to the platform with the right-hand engine only with a dingy assisting from the left-hand float.
According to the final report, the AICC found:
The PIC had a prolonged period of inactivity (flying) due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Varying gusty wind conditions during landing were reported.
The AICC concluded the probable causes were:
Loss of control on landing
Varying crosswind conditions during landing
Lack of practice or experience (change of motor skills) of the PIC for landing floatplanes.
The AICC recommended all operators to review flight training requirements of all floatplane operators, especially for those flight crew who change from aircraft on wheels to floatplanes with more emphasis given on landing performances and techniques that maintain the right attitude/orientation.
The AICC also recommended the regulator establish procedures to ensure review of the existing training requirements carried out by all operators and the reviewed requirements to be implemented in a timely manner.