What happened
On the night of 30 March 2022, a Diamond DA 40 D, registration 9M-HMW, was conducting a scheduled solo night training flight at Langkawi International Airport. The flight, part of a cadet pilot's training syllabus, proceeded normally through takeoff and initial circuits. However, during the landing phase on Runway 03, the aircraft bounced upon touchdown. In an attempt to recover, the pilot initiated a go-around, but the aircraft veered to the right. The aircraft subsequently exited the runway and came to rest in a long grass area approximately 140 metres from the runway edge. The aircraft sustained major damage, including a broken nose landing gear, damaged engine cowling, and broken propeller blades, though no fire occurred.
The investigation
AAIB Malaysia investigators examined the wreckage, meteorological conditions, and training records. The investigation established that the weather was clear with good visibility. The investigation focused on the pilot's actions during the landing sequence and the training oversight provided by the operator. Investigators also reviewed the communication between the pilot and Air Traffic Control, noting that the pilot had mistakenly used the wrong frequency to communicate with a flight instructor earlier in the flight. Additionally, the investigation looked into the operational practices of the flight training organization regarding student progress and supervision.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the over-control of the aircraft's attitude during the flare and an incorrect go-around technique following a bounced landing.
- A late decision to execute the go-around contributed to the excursion.
- The pilot experienced visual illusions caused by bright runway lights, leading to disorientation and impaired motor skills.
- A lack of adequate supervision was identified, specifically regarding the failure to ensure the cadet pilot had reached the necessary proficiency standards for solo night operations.
- Non-standard training practices, such as the reluctance to file progress reports for underperforming students and the practice of using instructors as safety pilots during solo flights, deprived the student of necessary remedial training.
Safety action
- The aircraft operator was advised to retrain and reassess the pilot's night flying proficiency and to implement a committee for evaluating underperforming students.
- Recommendations were made to the regulatory authority to monitor skill tests for underperforming students and to issue directives prohibiting non-standard practices, such as the unauthorized reshuffling of training flight sequences.