What happened
On November 5, 2010, a Beechcraft A36, registered JA4167, was conducting a solo training flight at Miyazaki Airport when it experienced a series of bounces on the runway. The aircraft, operated by the Civil Aviation College, had departed earlier that day for a scheduled training session.
During the landing phase on Runway 09, the trainee pilot attempted to manage the touchdown after noticing the airspeed was slightly higher than ideal. To avoid overshooting the intended touchdown point, the pilot reduced the intensity of the flare. This maneuver resulted in the aircraft touching down with residual lift, causing an initial bounce. The aircraft then entered a state of porpoising, oscillating several times. During the final contact, the nose gear struck the runway with significant force, causing substantial damage to the airframe and leaving the aircraft immobile on the runway. The trainee pilot was uninjured, and no fire occurred during the incident.
The investigation
The Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) examined the flight history, air traffic control records, and statements from the trainee, the air traffic controller, and flight instructors. The investigation focused on the pilot's decision-making during the flare and the subsequent failure to initiate a go-around. Investigators also reviewed the college's internal safety reports and risk assessment protocols regarding previous bouncing incidents.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a failure to perform a go-around after the aircraft began bouncing.
- The initial bounce was triggered because the pilot eased the flare to prevent overshooting the touchdown point, which meant the airspeed and descent rate were not sufficiently reduced before contact.
- The trainee lacked the necessary skills and knowledge to recognize the need for an immediate go-around during the porpoising sequence.
- The college's existing risk assessment and preventative measures were insufficient to address previously reported bouncing events.
Safety action
Following the investigation, the Civil Aviation College implemented several measures, including:
- Revising training manuals to mandate specific flap settings on the base leg to ensure stabilized approaches.
- Updating solo flight qualification criteria to include a demonstrated ability to perform go-arounds at altitudes below 50 feet.
- Enhancing student training to emphasize the necessity of checking airspeed at the runway threshold and performing go-arounds whenever porpoising occurs.