What happened
On 16 May 2023, a Viking Air DHC-6-300 floatplane, registration 8Q-TAQ, was performing a charter flight from Sun Siyam Iru Veli Maldives to Vommuli water aerodrome. The aircraft was carrying five passengers and three crew members.
During the landing sequence, the aircraft encountered moderate sea states. As the aircraft approached the water, it struck a swell, causing the plane to bounce. Following this impact, the aircraft rolled to the left, causing the left wing to strike the water surface. The impact resulted in extensive damage to the left wing's leading edge, upper skin, ribs, and aileron. The pilot-in-command subsequently took control to stabilize the aircraft and taxied it to a fixed platform, where all occupants disembarked safely. There were no injuries reported.
The investigation
The AICC investigation examined the flight crew's actions, the aircraft's mechanical state, and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. Investigators reviewed the cockpit voice recorder and flight data to understand the sequence of events. The investigation also assessed the qualifications of the crew, noting that while the pilot-in-command was highly experienced, the pilot flying was relatively new to the aircraft type and had never previously landed at the Vommuli water aerodrome, which is classified as a Category C aerodrome due to its challenging nature.
Findings
- The aircraft hit a swell during the landing phase.
- The pilot flying had limited experience operating at Category C water aerodromes and limited hours on the aircraft type.
- There was a discrepancy in crew accounts regarding power management; the pilot-in-command reported a reduction in power due to incorrect lever movement, while the pilot flying maintained that power was increased but insufficient due to engine spooling lag.
- The pilot-in-command demonstrated a lack of sufficient vigilance in monitoring the situation to take control immediately during the bounce.