History of the Flight
On 4 March 2011, a Cessna 172 aircraft, registered PK-HAF, operated by Aero Flyer Institute, was conducting a series of touch-and-go exercises at Cakrabhuwana Airport (CBN / WICD), Cirebon, West Java. The aircraft took off from runway 04 at 01:11 UTC (08:11 local time). The pilot received information from air traffic control (ATC) that weather conditions were good with visibility of 6–8 km.
The first two touch-and-go landings were performed safely. At 01:26 UTC (08:26 local time), during the third approach, the pilot requested ATC to perform a short approach exercise. While joining the left downwind leg abeam the end of runway 04, the instructor reduced engine power to minimum. On short final to runway 04, the pilot judged that the aircraft could not make a perfect landing and took over control.
During the ensuing go-around, the pilot increased power to maximum while the aircraft continued descending and banking to the left. The left wing tip then struck the runway, followed by the propeller and nose wheel. The aircraft veered left, exited the runway, and came to rest on the left shoulder opposite the landing direction of runway 04 at coordinates 6º44'11"S 108º33'50"E.
At 01:29 UTC (08:29 local time), the pilot reported to ATC that the aircraft had crash-landed. ATC activated the crash alarm and dispatched fire fighters. The view from the tower to the runway was obscured by trees. Fire fighters deployed to the accident site. The three occupants—one pilot and two students—evacuated the aircraft unaided, and no injuries were sustained.
Injuries to Persons
No injuries occurred. The instructor pilot and two student pilots were uninjured.
Damage to Aircraft
The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The nose landing gear detached from the fuselage. Both wing tips were damaged, and the propeller was also damaged.
Cause
The investigation determined that the probable cause of this accident was the pilot’s decision to apply full power while the aircraft was in a low altitude, high bank angle, and high rate of descent condition.