Crashed TMA seaplane parts were corroded: Investigation

Investigations into the crash of a Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) seaplane which crashed during the afternoon hours of June 9, 2024 near the Miriandhoo Westin Maldives water aerodrome has revealed that some of the aircraft's parts were corroded at the time of the accident.

The Twin Otter, Viking Air DHC-6-300 floatplane was carrying ten passengers and three crew members at the time of the crash. However no injuries were reported, and all passengers were safely disembarked and transferred to the nearby resort via dinghy.

The preliminary report published by Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Wednesday detailed that the bolts used to connect the seaplane's float were corroded and cracked.

Other significant damages to the plane include:

- Visible damage on the float assembly

- Rear spreader bar attachment bolt missing

- Right float aft spreader bar, float attachment fitting damaged

- The right propeller blade cut into the right float

- Flywire LH buckled and RH snapped

Following the investigation, a mandatory inspection was ordered, which detailed that TMA is required to inspect the float/fuselage, attachment fittings and bolts for corrosion and cracks as well as to remove access panels and fairing as necessary to gain access.

"Visually examine for material deterioration, cracks and corrosion, paying particular attention to immediate areas around bolt holes and bearings, where visible and along attachment and pickup fittings mating edges and the edges of the attachment fittings," the report also said.

Other instructions include that evidence of corrosion requires the bolts to be removed for internal examination for holes and to determine the overall condition of the bolts.

If internal corrosion is found, the fittings would need to be removed for further inspection and necessary treatment. Corrosion around bonding jumpers where they are fitted will also require cleaning and repriming of the affected areas, the report said.

"Carry out the following Inspection at the earliest opportunity and in any case before the 30th of June 2024," the report notifies TMA.

Videos which surfaced on social media following the floatplane' crash showed that the damage to one of the floats left the plane partially submerged in the sea.

Recently, a case also cropped up where a TMA plane was flown extremely low, nearly touching the jetty of a resort. The pilot who flew the plane was later suspended.