What happened
On May 17, 2004, a De Havilland DHC-6-300 floatplane, registration 8Q-TMC, was attempting a westbound departure from the water runway at Male’ International Airport. The aircraft, operated by Trans Maldivian Airways, was carrying 14 passengers and a crew of three toward Velaavaru Resort Island.
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft experienced a slower-than-normal acceleration. As the aircraft approached the seawall, the pilot in command attempted to pull back on the controls to clear the obstacle. This maneuver caused the aircraft to stall at an altitude of approximately three feet. The left-hand float struck the top of the seawall, causing the left wing to detach from the fuselage. The impact was so severe that the left propeller cut through the cockpit ceiling. As the aircraft continued its path, the right-hand float also detached, and the aircraft eventually skidded along the grass and came to a stop on the mainland runway.
The investigation
The investigation conducted by the AICC examined the aircraft's mechanical condition, the crew's performance, and the flight configuration. Investigators found that both engines were functioning normally at the time of impact and showed no signs of malfunction. A bulb analysis confirmed that the stall warning light had been activated during the event.
Technical analysis of the aircraft's configuration revealed that the wing flaps were in the zero-degree position, rather than the required 20 degrees for takeoff. The investigation also noted that the aircraft was not equipped with flight recorders, which limited the ability to review cockpit communications and precise performance data.