What happened
On January 3, 2014, a Cessna 172S, registration RP-C3533, operated by Alpha Aviation Group (Philippines), Inc., was engaged in a flight training mission at Diosdado Macapagal International Airport. The flight, conducted by a student pilot, was originally intended as a navigational flight to La Union, but the plan was altered following a systems failure. Following a briefing from a flight instructor regarding updated maneuvers, the student pilot proceeded with a series of flight patterns, including a 180° side approach.
After receiving clearance from the Clark Control Tower to land on runway 02L, the student pilot executed the approach with flaps set to 30 degrees. Upon touchdown, the aircraft experienced a hard landing and bounced, impacting the left side of the runway. In an attempt to recover, the pilot applied full power for a go-around, but the aircraft swerved toward the left. The aircraft eventually came to rest on the grassy area adjacent to the runway. The student pilot remained uninjured but was transported to a hospital for medical evaluation.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of maneuvers and the pilot's response to the aircraft's behavior during the landing phase. Investigators reviewed the flight plan changes, the instructor's briefing, and the technical details of the touchdown. The inquiry established that while the pilot attempted a go-around, the aircraft failed to maintain its centerline due to insufficient directional control.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a human factor, specifically the student pilot's failure to apply sufficient power to cushion the touchdown and the failure to adjust the pitch to an appropriate altitude.
- A lack of training experience regarding emergency and abnormal situations contributed to the accident.
- The pilot failed to provide the necessary rudder input required to maintain directional control after the bounce, leading to the aircraft drifting off the runway.
Safety action
- The AAIIB recommended that the student pilot undergo an additional five hours of flight training under the supervision of a rated flight instructor, with a specific focus on takeoff and landing techniques.