Incident Overview

Date: Monday 17 May 2004
Aircraft Type: de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300
Owner/operator: Trans Maldivian Airways
Registration Number: 8Q-TMC
Location: Male International Airport (MLE) – ÿ Maldives
Phase of Flight: Take off
Status: Substantial, repaired
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 17
Component Affected: Aircraft control system (flaps)Aircraft control system (flaps)
Investigating Agency: CAD MaldivesCAD Maldives
Category: Accident
A Twin Otter aircraft, carrying fourteen passengers, was cleared for takeoff westbound from Male International Airport, with a wind of 230/09 knots. The aircraft exhibited a slow acceleration and subsequently cleared the obstacle, resulting in a left wing rotation and impact with the runway. The left float was pushed upwards, striking the second propeller.A Twin Otter aircraft, carrying fourteen passengers, was cleared for takeoff westbound from Male International Airport, with a wind of 230/09 knots. The aircraft exhibited a slow acceleration and subsequently cleared the obstacle, resulting in a left wing rotation and impact with the runway. The left float was pushed upwards, striking the second propeller.

Description

After 14 passengers had boarded the float-equipped Twin Otter, the flight was cleared for west bound takeoff by Male Tower. Wind was 230/09 knots. The total length of the east west runway available for takeoff and maneuvering up to the Hulhule sea wall is approximately 1000 meters. The aircraft seemed to accelerate slowly. Approaching the sea wall captain, realising the height of the aircraft, pulled on the controls to clear the obstacle. The aircraft left float struck the sea wall and separated. The left wing then rotated upwards at the pivot point at the trailing edge of wing. The airplane then impacted runway 18. The right hand float was pushed upwards, causing it to strike the no. 2 propeller. CAUSAL FACTORS: The crew failed to select the flaps to the standard 20 degrees as required. The crew failed to abort the take-off. The Pilot-in- Command did not take any action to abort the take-off as the aircraft approached the sea wall.

Primary Cause

Failure to select flaps to the standard 20 degrees.Failure to select flaps to the standard 20 degrees.

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