What happened
On 12 June 2020, a training flight operated by Fujairah Aviation Academy ended in an accident at Fujairah International Airport. The aircraft, a Diamond DA-40 with registration A6-FAG, was being operated by a trainee pilot performing solo maneuvers. During the flight, the pilot noticed an Engine Control Unit (ECU) fault light, but continued the approach without declaring an emergency.
After two unsuccessful landing attempts involving go-arounds, the pilot attempted a third approach. During the flare, the aircraft struck the runway with its nose first. The impact was severe enough to cause the nose landing gear to detach and separate from the airframe by 20 meters. Additionally, the propeller blades were bent and fractured as they made contact with the runway surface.
The investigation
Investigators from the GCAA AAIS reviewed the pilot's training history and found that the trainee had experienced a significant 72-day hiatus in flying due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. While the pilot had completed recent dual flights to refresh skills, the investigation noted that the pilot's training records previously indicated struggles with consistent landings, flare technique, and situational awareness.
Furthermore, the investigation examined the pilot's recent solo consolidation flights, noting that the number of landings performed after the pandemic lockdown was insufficient to ensure proficiency. The investigators also looked into the communication limitations caused by VHF line-of-sight issues in the mountainous terrain surrounding the airport.