A Trans Maldivian Airways Twin Otter got into trouble at the seaplane base of Velana International Airport in Malé on Wednesday afternoon. The DHC-6-300 aircraft, registered 8Q-TAL, was taxiing at the airport's water aerodrome around 2:25 p.m. local time on November 11, 2026, when one of its floats partially detached. Video footage shows the seaplane listing in the water near the dock, with a clearly visible tilt that has already caught the public's attention. The airline said in a statement that all passengers and crew were evacuated and that no injuries were reported.

The aircraft was then assisted back to a fixed platform. The water aerodrome remains fully operational, and both the airline and the airport authority have launched an investigation into the cause. No explanation has been announced yet, so it is still unclear what made the float give way while the plane was moving slowly on the water. Seaplanes are the main link between Malé and the country's resorts, so any incident at this base is closely watched. For now, the key facts are that everyone is safe, the aircraft is secured, and investigators are looking for answers.