What happened
On the afternoon of October 21, 2019, a student pilot was conducting a solo circuit and landing exercise at Fursatganj Airfield, Uttar Pradesh. The flight, operating a Zlin 242L with registration VT-IGM, followed several successful supervised circuits earlier in the day. After obtaining takeoff clearance from ATC, the pilot completed the initial flight phases without incident.
However, during the final approach, the aircraft was high on the glide path. As the pilot attempted to flare for touchdown, the aircraft entered a stall, causing the left wing to drop suddenly. The aircraft bounced upon its initial contact with the runway. In an attempt to recover via a go-around, the pilot applied full power, but the aircraft's low altitude and leftward bank caused the left wing tip to strike the runway surface. The aircraft then veered off the paved surface, traveling across soft ground before the nose struck the edge of a monsoon drain. The impact caused the aircraft to come to a halt in a nose-down position, which subsequently triggered a post-impact fire that heavily damaged the forward section of the aircraft.
The investigation
AAIB India investigators examined the wreckage, the pilot's training records, and the aircraft's maintenance history. The investigation confirmed that the Zlin 242L was airworthy and that the pilot had undergone a negative breath analyzer test prior to the flight. Investigators also noted that while the aircraft was mechanically sound, the technical log had not been updated before the flight, which is a violation of regulatory guidelines.
Findings
- The aircraft was approaching the runway at an excessive height.
- During the flare maneuver, the aircraft entered a stall, leading to a sudden loss of lift and a wing drop.
- The pilot's attempt to initiate a go-around following the initial bounce was unsuccessful due to the aircraft's low altitude and existing bank angle.
- The engine was at full power when the nose wheel impacted the drain, as evidenced by the propeller damage.
- The student pilot sustained no injuries, though the aircraft suffered substantial damage from the impact and fire.