On January 8, 1998, a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter (registration 9M-MDJ) operated by Malaysian Airlines System - MAS was involved in an aviation accident near Limbang, Malaysia during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft overran the runway after an unstable landing characterized by multiple bounces and a late touchdown. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 5 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
An aircraft veered off the runway and entered a ditch after an uncontrolled landing, resulting in no injuries but significant damage to the plane.
What happened
During the landing phase of the flight, the aircraft experienced a series of instabilities upon touchdown. The aircraft made contact with the runway surface at a point too far down the length of the strip, which led to two distinct bounces.
Following these impacts, the pilot lost directional control of the vehicle. The aircraft subsequently skidded along the runway surface and overran the end of the paved area. The sequence concluded when the plane came to a stop inside a nearby ditch. While the aircraft sustained damage beyond repair, all eight occupants managed to exit the wreckage without sustaining any injuries.
Findings
The primary factor in the excursion was the uncontrolled bouncing and subsequent loss of control following a long touchdown on the runway.
Probable cause
The aircraft overran the runway after an unstable landing characterized by multiple bounces and a late touchdown.
