What happened
On 20 November 2015, a Piper PA-28-181, registration N9297N, departed Senai International Airport in Johor, Malaysia, for a general handling flight. The aircraft was operated by a single pilot for training purposes. While the flight was proceeding normally, the pilot was instructed to hold at 1,000 feet west of the airport to accommodate scheduled commercial traffic.
During the descent from 1,500 feet to 1,000 feet, the pilot experienced a sudden loss of engine power. The pilot immediately declared a Mayday to Air Traffic Control (ATC) and requested an emergency approach to Runway 16. Although ATC prioritized the aircraft by holding other commercial traffic, the pilot determined that the runway was unreachable and instead executed a forced landing at the Senai Golf Course. While the landing on the course was successful, the aircraft ran out of space and struck a tree near a green, resulting in the total loss of the aircraft. The pilot sustained minor injuries.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation focused on the circumstances surrounding the engine power loss and the subsequent impact. Investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance history, the pilot's qualifications, and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The investigation confirmed that the pilot was properly licensed, medically fit, and sufficiently rested. The weather conditions were reported as good with high visibility.
Technical analysis of the wreckage and the remaining fuel provided critical evidence. Although the impact with the tree caused severe damage to the engine, making a direct mechanical inspection difficult, laboratory analysis of the fuel residue revealed the presence of water contamination within the fuel tank.