What happened
On the evening of September 7, 2012, a King Air C90A, registration VT-KPC, was conducting a series of circuits and landings at Pune Airport. The flight was intended as a practice session to enhance the pilot's experience on the aircraft type. After taking off from runway 28, the crew initially lost visual contact with the runway during the first circuit, necessitating radar vectors from Pune Radar to reposition for a visual approach.
While the aircraft was stabilized on approach with landing gear down and flaps selected, the crew began a descent. During the transition from the base leg to final, the aircraft progressively descended below the glide slope. The aircraft ultimately impacted the ground in the undershoot area, approximately 8 and 880 feet from the runway threshold, before sliding into a concrete area. While the impact caused substantial damage to the airframe, including bent propeller blades and collapsed landing gear, there were no injuries to the occupants.
The investigation
AAIB India examined the flight history, crew credentials, and aircraft maintenance records. The investigation established that the aircraft was fully serviceable and the weather conditions were within operational minima. The inquiry focused on the crew's decision-making during the approach and the cockpit environment.
Investigators noted that the pilot in the left seat was performing his first night flight on this specific type in many years, having primarily flown large, automated jet aircraft recently. The pilot in the right seat, while highly experienced on the type, was acting as an observer and safety pilot. The investigation also reviewed the cockpit dynamics, noting an instance where the passenger/observer's attempt to retrieve a dropped microphone caused physical pressure on the control column.
Findings
- The primary cause of the undershoot was the selection of an incorrect aiming point and improper power management, as the crew attempted to land the aircraft within the shortest possible distance.
- A contributing factor was the crew's mindset regarding landing distances, likely influenced by the shorter runways encountered in other operational environments.
- Confusion regarding specific roles and functions between the two pilots contributed to errors in judgment and skill.
- The lack of recent experience on the specific aircraft type for the pilot in command played a role in the unstable approach.