What happened
On 22 June 2016, a Grumman AGCAT G-164B, registration 9M-IMI, was engaged in aerial crop spraying operations at the Boh Tea Plantation. The aircraft, operated by Systematic Aviation Services Sdn. Bhd., was being piloted by the captain, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft. Following a series of shuttle flights and refueling stops, the aircraft experienced a partial engine failure during one of its missions.
Realizing that the remaining power was insufficient to return to the Cameron Highlands Airstrip, the pilot identified a clearing on a hill slope for an emergency landing. During the attempt to land in the vegetation, the aircraft struck the slope and came to an immediate halt approximately 12 feet after initial contact. While the aircraft was a total loss—suffering a broken wing spar, destroyed engine and propeller, and heavy damage to the forward fuselage—the pilot sustained only slight injuries.
The investigation
AAIB investigators arrived at the crash site on 24 June 2016 to conduct a ground examination of the wreckage. The investigation included a formal session with the pilot and an analysis of the aircraft's maintenance and operational records. The inquiry examined the pilot's adherence to air traffic procedures, the coordination of the spraying missions, and the accuracy of the aircraft's maintenance logs.
Findings
- The pilot lacked a clear understanding of essential takeoff and landing parameters, specifically regarding appropriate speeds for both Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport and the Cameron Highlands Airstrip.
- The pilot failed to adhere to standard air traffic procedures, specifically regarding the awareness that the mission area and the Cameron Highlands Airstrip were within the Ipoh Control Zone (CTR).
- There were discrepancies in the aircraft's maintenance logs, including missing entries for flying hours following a night stop in May 2016.
- Operational coordination issues were identified, including the need for better flight plan submission and the use of NOTAMs for agricultural spraying operations.
Safety action
To prevent future occurrences, several recommendations were issued to the operator, the pilot, and the civil aviation authority. Key actions include:
- Ensuring the use of standardized airworthiness checklists for both the issuance and renewal of certificates.
- Improving operational coordination by ensuring all spraying missions are supported by proper flight plans and NOTAMs.
- Requiring pilots to maintain two-way radio communication with Ipoh Air Traffic Control and to verify weather conditions through official channels.
- Ensuring that all agricultural operations are conducted with established Search and Rescue (SAR) coverage.
- Mandating that pilots utilize the official pilot's handbook to calculate performance parameters for takeoff and landing at various airstrips.