What happened
On September 20, 2021, a Tecnam P2008JC aircraft, registration VT-RBE, operated by Redbird Flight Training Academy, was involved in an accident at Baramati Airport. The flight was a solo training exercise for a trainee pilot holding a Student Pilot License. After successfully completing supervised dual flights, the pilot was cleared for solo circuits and landings.
During the fourth solo circuit, the aircraft performed a smooth touchdown on runway 2 and initially rolled for several seconds. However, the pilot then attempted a balked landing procedure by increasing power. During this maneuver, the aircraft pitched up aggressively and entered a stall, causing the left wing to drop. The aircraft subsequently struck the unpaved side of the runway, with the nose section impacting the ground before the aircraft toppled and came to rest in an upside-down position. The pilot escaped the wreckage without any injuries.
The investigation
AAIB India examined the wreckage, the pilot's training records, and the operational procedures of the flight academy. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was airworthy and the weather conditions were within visual meteorological limits. Investigators also reviewed the training syllabus and the pilot's recent flight history.
Findings
- The aircraft suffered substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, engine compartment, and landing gear.
- The pilot failed to follow the correct balked landing procedure as specified in the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM), specifically failing to adjust the flap settings from landing to takeoff configuration.
- There was a discrepancy between the academy's training manual and the manufacturer's manual, as the training syllabus did not include practice for balked landings.
- The academy failed to prepare a specific load and trim sheet for the solo flight, instead carrying the sheet from the previous dual flight.
- The investigation noted a lack of recording facilities, such as CCTV or VHF communication recordings, at the airport, which prevented a full reconstruction of the exact timeline of events.