Background
On 12 June 2020, a Diamond DA-40 aircraft, registration A6-FAG, operated by Fujairah Aviation Academy, was involved in an accident at Fujairah International Airport, United Arab Emirates. The aircraft was on a solo training flight conducted by a trainee pilot enrolled in an integrated Air Transport Pilot License program.
History of the Flight
The trainee pilot departed at 0950 local time for a training flight in the designated area. This was the fourth solo flight in a sequence; previous solo flights had occurred on 9, 10, and 11 June 2020. Prior to these, the trainee pilot had not flown for 72 days due to COVID-19 restrictions, and completed two dual refresher flights on 6 and 8 June 2020.
During the return leg, the trainee pilot observed an ECU B fault light and an audible beep on the cockpit display. She proceeded normally without declaring an emergency. Air traffic control advised runway 29 or 11; the trainee pilot chose runway 11. The reported wind was 6 knots from 60 degrees, later confirmed as 5 knots from 50 degrees.
On the first approach at about 75 knots, the aircraft was fully configured for landing. The trainee pilot noted three red PAPI lights indicating a low approach, added power, then brought power to idle and flared. The aircraft bounced. She executed a go-around.
The second approach was flown similarly, resulting in another bounce and go-around. The trainee pilot felt the aircraft performance was abnormal and she was tired due to heat and humidity. During the third approach, she felt under pressure. The aircraft impacted the runway, causing the nose gear to detach and the propeller to strike the ground. She informed the tower of the damage.
Aircraft Damage
The nose gear detached and was found 20 meters from the aircraft. The propeller blades were bent and fractured with paint peeled. The aircraft came to rest in a forward leaning position. Propeller contact with the runway left slash marks.
Personnel Information
The trainee pilot held a valid Class 1 medical certificate issued by the GCAA. Training records showed she had completed the theoretical ATPL part and was in phase 2 of flying training, which included solo consolidation. She had encountered challenges maintaining consistent landings and situation awareness. Her instructor noted difficulty transitioning her sight to judge height during landings and a tendency to fixate on the aiming point. She had been trained on undershoots and overshoots before solo flights.