What happened
On November 28, 2014, a Pilatus PC-12/45 aircraft, registration VT-DAR, was performing a non-scheduled charter flight from Delhi to Guwahati. During the landing phase at Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, the aircraft experienced a series of bounces on Runway 02. After an initial touchdown on the main gear, the aircraft bounced a second time with an increasing pitch attitude. In an attempt to manage the aircraft's pitch, the pilot lowered the nose, causing the aircraft to impact the runway on its nose landing gear. The impact caused the nose gear to shear off, and the propeller blades struck the runway surface, creating sparks and smoke. All occupants, including two crew members and one passenger, evacuated the aircraft safely without injury.
The investigation
AAIB India examined the aircraft's maintenance history, the flight crew's experience, and the sequence of events leading to the impact. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft's airworthiness certificates were valid and that all mandatory service bulletins and inspections had been completed. Investigators also reviewed the cockpit actions, noting that while an airspeed/gear warning light had been active since the climb out of Delhi, the crew had followed manual procedures to continue the flight. The investigation focused heavily on the pilot's handling of the aircraft during the unstable landing and the crew's communication during the second bounce.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced an insufficient flare during the initial approach, leading to the first bounce.
- The co-pilot, who possessed significantly more experience on the type (2,723 hours) than the pilot in command (179 hours), cautioned the pilot regarding the inadequate flare.
- Following the second bounce, the pilot in command refused a request from the co-pilot to take control of the aircraft.
- To counteract the increasing pitch, the pilot likely lowered the aircraft's attitude, which directly led to the nose gear impact.
- The impact caused extensive damage, including the shearing of the nose wheel assembly, bent propeller blades, and damage to the engine fuel pump and generator housing.