What happened
On the night of 21 January 2022, a Cessna 172 S aircraft, registration VT-AMU, was conducting a night cross-country training flight near Aligarh Aerodrome. The flight, operated by Pioneer Flying Academy Private Limited, involved a flight instructor and a student pilot. The mission was part of the trainee's requirements for a Commercial Pilot License.
While on final approach for Runway 29, the crew encountered a thick layer of smoke at approximately 40 and 300 feet altitude. In an attempt to regain visual contact with the runway, the crew decided to descend through the smoke. Upon finding the visibility had dropped to near zero, the crew initiated a go-around procedure by applying full power. During this maneuver, the pilots lost visual references and became disoriented. The aircraft subsequently struck the ground in an agricultural field approximately 1,340 meters from the runway end, sustaining substantial damage. Both crew members survived with minor injuries.
The investigation
The investigation by the AAIB examined the aircraft's serviceability, the crew's qualifications, and the operational environment. Investigators found that the aircraft was airworthy and the pilot in command was properly trained. However, the investigation highlighted significant issues regarding the flight planning and the weather conditions at the uncontrolled Aligarh aerodrome.
It was established that the flight was conducted in visibility conditions well below the required 5 km VFR minimums. The investigation also looked into the organizational procedures of the flying academy, noting that the flight plan filed was for daytime operations despite the intended night flight, and that the academy's training manual lacked specific night flying standard operating procedures.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was somatogravic disorientation leading to a complete loss of situational awareness and subsequent controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
- The crew attempted to land in visibility conditions that were significantly below the authorized minimums.
- The crew failed to transition to instrument flying procedures when visual references were lost in the smoke and fog.
- There were supervisory lapses and a lack of adherence to established safety procedures and DGCA regulations.
- The academy failed to implement an effective off-base accident plan following the occurrence.
Safety action
The investigation identified several areas for regulatory improvement, including the need for the DGCA to clarify rules regarding flying below VMC at uncontrolled airfields. Recommendations were also made to review training manuals for all flying training organizations to ensure they align with national regulations and to standardize minimum visibility criteria for local training flights.