History of the Flight
On 16 November 2007, a Cessna 172M aircraft, registered 9M-BDI, operated by Admal SDN. BHD Malaysia, departed from Hang Nadim Airport, Batam, on a ferry flight to Depati Amir Airport, Pangkal Pinang, Indonesia. The flight had originated at Subang Airport, Selangor, Malaysia, and tracked via Johor Bahru and Batam, landing at each airport, but refueling only at Batam. There were two persons on board.
About one hour after departure from Batam, the pilot reported climbing above 1,500 feet. Three minutes later, the pilot broadcast a MAYDAY, stating he was looking for a place to land. At that time, he reported being 49 miles from Pangkal Pinang and passing 7,500 feet. The pilot did not give a reason for the MAYDAY until five minutes later, when he said he had found a place to land, made a passing reference to a fuel leak, and indicated he would refuel and take off from the landing position. The aircraft was carrying three jerry cans of avgas in the passenger cabin.
The pilot subsequently landed on a beach 42 NM north west of Pangkal Pinang. During the landing roll, the nose wheel sank into soft sand and collapsed, resulting in the aircraft overturning.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was a Cessna 172M Skyhawk II, registration 9M-BDI. The pilot held a Commercial Pilot License and was the pilot-in-command. The pilot informed investigators that he had not leaned the fuel mixture during the climb to and subsequent cruise at 9,000 feet.
Meteorological Information
The synopsis does not provide specific weather conditions, but the area may have been affected by seasonal weather patterns. No further details are available in the report.
Wreckage and Impact
The aircraft came to rest inverted on the beach. The nose landing gear was fractured. The aircraft sustained damage during the forced landing and overturn.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that the pilot did not operate the aircraft in accordance with the engine leaning procedures specified by the operator and the aircraft manufacturer. If the pilot had used proper leaning procedures for the flight sectors from Subang to Johor Bahru and Batam, it is likely that after refueling at Batam there was considerably less fuel in the aircraft’s wing tanks than estimated by the pilot.
The investigation further determined that under the operating procedures used by the pilot, the aircraft did not have sufficient usable fuel on board to complete the planned flight when it departed from Batam.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the accident was the pilot's failure to lean the fuel mixture as per procedures, leading to higher fuel consumption and insufficient fuel for the planned flight, resulting in fuel exhaustion and a forced landing.
Safety Recommendations
The National Transportation Safety Committee issued recommendations to the operator, Admal Sdn. Bhd., and the Malaysia Department of Civil Aviation based on the findings of the investigation.