What happened
On 16 March 2022, a Cessna 152 aircraft, registration VT-PTC, was performing a solo cross-country training flight when it overshot the runway at Sultanpur Airfield. The flight was part of a 300 Nm training exercise originating from Rewa.
As the student pilot approached runway 29, the weather conditions were clear, and the runway was visible from several miles away. An instructor on the ground had provided wind information, noting variable winds of approximately 5 knots. During the landing flare, the aircraft encountered a sudden sideways gust of wind. This caused the aircraft to drift significantly to the right of the runway centerline. Unable to correct the deviation at such a low altitude, the aircraft touched down on the unpaved, soft ground approximately 870 feet from the threshold. The aircraft continued to roll for another 80 feet before coming to a stop at the edge of the runway. The student pilot was uninjured, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage to its fuselage, landing gear, and control cables.
The investigation
AAIB India examined the circumstances of the flight, the pilot's experience, and the oversight provided by the flight training organization. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was airworthy, with all maintenance and inspections up to date. The student pilot held a valid license and was qualified for the solo exercise.
Investigators reviewed the sequence of events on the final approach, noting that while the instructor on the ground was monitoring the arrival of several trainee aircraft, the specific deviation of VT-PTC occurred during the flare phase. The investigation also looked into the communication between the ground instructor and the student pilot during the landing sequence.