Incident Overview
On July 20, 2023, at approximately 10:19 JST, a Textron Aviation G58 (registration JA58GC) operated by Asahi Airlines Co., Ltd. was conducting touch-and-go training at Yao Airport in Yao City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. During the fifth touch-and-go on Runway 27, the aircraft experienced repeated bounces after touchdown, prompting the instructor captain to execute a go-around. The aircraft landed safely on a subsequent approach. Post-flight inspection revealed damage to the left propeller blades and scratch marks on the runway. The three occupants—an instructor, a trainee, and a passenger—were not injured.
Aircraft and Personnel Information
The aircraft, a Textron Aviation G58 (serial number TH-2469, manufactured October 5, 2016), had a valid airworthiness certificate and was within weight and center-of-gravity limits at the time of the incident. The captain, aged 39, held a commercial pilot certificate and type rating for multi-engine land, with a total flight time of 1,785 hours 11 minutes (154 hours 16 minutes on type). The trainee, aged 22, also held a commercial pilot certificate and multi-engine type rating, with 205 hours 24 minutes total flight time but no flight time in the preceding 30 days.
Flight Sequence
The flight departed Yao Airport at approximately 09:15 for instrument flight certificate training, with the trainee in the left seat and the instructor in the right. After air operations in training areas, the aircraft returned for continuous touch-and-go training. The first four touch-and-goes involved go-arounds due to approach path deviations or power issues. On the fifth approach, the aircraft crossed the runway threshold at 102 kt (7 kt above the performance value). The trainee reduced power to idle. The first touchdown was a three-point landing with a descent rate of 600 ft/min, followed by a bounce. The instructor assisted in maintaining attitude but also performed procedures for the touch-and-go (raising flaps and setting elevator trim to takeoff position). Two more bounces occurred, with the second and third touchdowns on the nose landing gear while the aircraft was banked left. After the third bounce, the instructor took control, advanced power to maximum, and executed a go-around. No abnormalities were felt during the subsequent traffic pattern, and the aircraft landed normally at 10:23.
Damage and Findings
Post-flight inspection by mechanics revealed damage to each of the three blades of the left propeller, with approximately 7 mm of blade tip damage. Scratch marks were found on Runway 27, approximately 580 m west of the threshold and 10 cm north of the centerline. The scratch marks were about 20 cm long, 1 mm deep, and spaced about 1.2 m apart, consistent with propeller contact. No scratch marks were found near the first or third touchdown points.
Meteorological Conditions
At 10:00 JST, the reported conditions included variable wind at 6 kt, visibility 10 km or more, scattered clouds at 2,000 ft and broken at 3,000 ft, temperature 29°C, dew point 20°C, and QNH 29.77 inHg.