What happened
On 2 July 2015, at approximately 17:33 hrs, a Viking Air (De Havillently) DHC-6-300 with registration 8Q-MAN crashed into the ocean roughly 3 km southeast of Kuredu. The aircraft was operating a charter flight under visual flight rules, transporting 11 passengers from Komandoo to Kuredu.
During the final approach phase, while the crew was configuring the aircraft for landing, the pilot selected the flaps to the fully down position. This action triggered a sudden pitch-up movement and significant vibrations throughout the airframe. The pilot flying was unable to maintain control and transferred control to the pilot in command. At this point, the aircraft was in a nose-high attitude and the stall warning light activated.
In an attempt to recover, the pilot in command applied full left rudder, pushed the control column forward, and retarded the power levers to idle. Despite these recovery efforts and a subsequent attempt to retract the flaps to the fully up position, the aircraft continued a right-hand turn and lost altitude. The aircraft struck the sea surface before the crew could stabilize the flight.
Upon impact, the left float became detached. The aircraft then bounced, causing the right float to detach as well, though it remained wedged between the engine and the airframe for several minutes. As the aircraft began to tilt and take on water, the crew managed to evacuate all 11 passengers and 3 crew members. All occupants escaped without injury before the aircraft sank.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced an uncommanded pitch-up and vibration immediately following the selection of flaps to the fully down position.