What happened
On 4 May 2024, a navigation training flight operated by Layang Layang Flying Academy departed Sultan Azlan Shah Airport in Ipoh. The aircraft, a Cessna 172N with registration 9M-ADA, was being operated by a trainee pilot accompanied by an assistant flight instructor acting as a safety pilot.
While the initial segments of the flight proceeded without incident, the crew encountered deteriorating weather conditions near Sabak Bernam. As the aircraft moved toward the Ulu Bernam area, cloud cover forced the crew to descend from 4,000 feet to 2,500 feet. In an attempt to maintain visual contact with the ground, the crew requested and received clearance to descend further to 1,000 feet. During this descent, the aircraft entered Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). The safety pilot attempted to navigate through the clouds to regain visual references, but the aircraft struck trees and crashed in a forested area near Slim River, Perak. Both crew members sustained serious injuries.
The investigation
AAIB Malaysia examined the flight path, weather patterns, and crew actions. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was in an airworthy condition and that both crew members were properly licensed and medically fit. However, investigators noted that the presence of the safety pilot on this specific solo sortie was a violation of CAAM regulations. The investigation also reviewed satellite imagery, which confirmed the presence of significant cloud cover in the vicinity of the crash site during the time of the accident.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was poor judgment and decision-making by the crew, specifically the decision to descend to an unsafe altitude of 1,000 feet amidst deteriorating weather.
- The descent into low-altitude clouds led to a loss of situational awareness and an inadvertent transition into IMC.
- Rapidly changing weather conditions and low visibility contributed to the loss of visual contact with the terrain.
- The flight deviated from standard operating procedures by attempting to maintain visual flight rules in conditions that no longer supported them.
Safety action
To prevent similar occurrences, the investigation highlights the need for flight schools to prioritize enhanced decision-making training and more rigorous weather briefing procedures. There is also a critical need to ensure strict adherence to CAAM regulations regarding student solo flights and the use of safety pilots.