History of Flight
On 8 June 2024, a Cessna 152 aircraft, registration 4R-ACV, operated by Asian Aviation Center, an approved training organization, conducted stage check flights at Colombo International Airport, Ratmalana. The aircraft flew eight sorties totaling 5 hours 50 minutes and 25 landings. The final sortie, a 50-minute stage check for a private pilot license student, was flown with a flight instructor. During the landing on Runway 22, between approximately 13:40 and 14:30 local time, the student pilot experienced a minor bump. The instructor subsequently recorded a technical log entry noting a suspected hard landing by the student.
Reporting and Investigation
The incident was reported to the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) on 10 June 2024 by the Asian Aviation Center Quality Manager via email. A Mandatory Occurrence Report was later received. CAASL categorized the occurrence as an incident and initiated an investigation. The aircraft was placed under CAASL custody for examination. The investigation team visited Asian Aviation Center to gather evidence, assess damage, and record statements from the instructor and student pilots.
Damage to Aircraft
Examination revealed multiple structural damages:
- The tubular bar on the left side of the lower engine mount frame was bent in the middle due to compression forces from the landing gear being forced to the right.
- The nose landing gear oleo strut was abnormally bent backward as a result of the engine mount deformation.
- The right-side torque link attachment of the nose steering system was damaged.
- All four engine mount attachments on the firewall had enlarged bolt holes and affected bolts due to excessive forces.
- The nose wheel assembly showed impact marks; the left sidewall contacted the ground, compressing the tire and causing the rim to contact the ground, removing pre-existing yellow creep marks.
- Rudder functional test results were unsatisfactory, as the rudder pedals did not operate freely due to excessive force applied to the steering system.
Injuries
No injuries were reported.