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17 May 2004
At around 08:10 Maldives time (05:10GMT)
today, a sea plane crashed onto the runway
of Male’ International Airport. The
plane crashed just after its take off carrying
14 tourists. 10 German, 3 Swiss and 1 American
tourists who were travelling to Velaavaru
Tourist resort are onboard including two
pilots and one crew member.
All passengers and members of the crew
survived the crash but two of the tourist
and the co-pilot have sustained injuries
according to Haveeru News paper, a Maldives
Daily.
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Seaplane
crashed in Maldives with 14 tourists |
The aircraft involved in this incidence
is a Canadian built Twin-Otter seaplane
(DHC-6-300 Canada De-Havilland) operated
by Trans Maldivians Airways (TMA), a Maldivian
company. According to some reports the cause
of the accident is believed to be loosing
altitude during take off due to strong wind.
Maldives presently has the largest sea
plane transfer service. There are two companies,
Maldivian Air Taxi and Trans Maldivian Airways
which provides air transfer to tourists
from Male’ International airport to
faraway resort islands those are only accessible
by sea or air.
Seaplanes take off and land from the water
aerodrome area designated to sea plane operation
in the Male’ International Airport.
Just after the accident, Male’ International
Airport was closed for incoming and out
going flights. But around 12:30 Maldives
time the airport commenced services.
Complied by MaldiveIsle.com News
Team
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