What happened
On 09 June 2024, at approximately 15:15 local time, a DHC-6-300 floatplane, registration 8Q-TMO, landed at the Westin Maldives (Miriandhoo) water aerodrome. Following the landing, the crew applied reverse thrust, at which point an unusual sound was heard and the aircraft began to bank heavily to the right.
Upon inspection, the crew discovered that the right-hand float had detached from the aircraft. To prevent the right-hand propeller from striking the detached float and causing further structural damage, the pilot-in-command elected to shut down both engines. All seven passengers and three crew members were safely evacuated via dinghies to the nearby resort. During the subsequent recovery process, the aircraft was towed to a beach, where it partially submerged in the water.
The investigation
An investigation by the AICC examined the structural integrity of the aircraft' and the mechanical failure of the float attachment components. The inquiry focused on the condition of the spreader bars and the attachment points connecting the floats to the airframe. Physical inspections of the wreckage revealed that the aft spreader bar's right-hand attachment point had completely detached, and the associated attachment bolt had sheared.
Further examination of the aircraft showed that the right-hand propeller had impacted the float, resulting in damage to both the propeller and the fuselage. The investigation also identified damage to the forward spreader bar, including ruptured flywires and a detached jury strut. Metallurgical evaluations of the failed components were conducted to determine the nature of the structural failure.