Status:	Final
Date:	11 JUL 2011
Time:	09:10
Type:	de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 310
Operator:	Trans Maldivian Airways
Registration:	8Q-TMD
C/n / msn:	530
First flight:	1977
Total airframe hrs:	34746
Cycles:	62428
Engines:	2 Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27
Crew:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Passengers:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0
Total:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Airplane damage:	Substantial
Location:	Biyaadhoo Training Lagoon (Maldives)
Phase:	Landing (LDG)
Nature:	Training
Departure airport:	Male International Airport (MLE/VRMM), Maldives
Destination airport:	Male International Airport (MLE/VRMM), Maldives
Flightnumber:	201A

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 take-offs were made simulating different conditions of flight. 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. 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.

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.

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)