Flight History
On 28 January 2014, a Cessna 172S, registration PK-BOB, operated by LOKA Pendidikan dan Pelatihan Penerbang (LOKA LP3) was conducting a solo area training flight. The aircraft departed at 0100 UTC (0800 local time) from Blimbingsari Airport, Banyuwangi, East Java. The student pilot performed exercises in the Genteng training area for about 40 minutes before returning. Weather was reported as calm wind, visibility 10 km, and cloud base at 2,000 feet.
During the approach to runway 08 at approximately 200 feet, the student pilot observed another aircraft on the runway and decided to initiate a go-around. At nearly the same time, the Blimbingsari Tower controller issued landing clearance, and the student pilot cancelled the go-around and elected to continue the approach.
During touchdown, the aircraft bounced twice. The student pilot then performed a go-around. During the climb, an unusual noise was heard from the engine. While on downwind, the student pilot experienced difficulty controlling the aircraft. The aircraft landed safely. During taxi, high vibration was felt until the aircraft stopped on the apron.
Aircraft Damage
Examination revealed two propeller scratch marks on runway 08 approximately 200 feet from the threshold, near the centerline. The aircraft's propeller blades had bent tips—one blade bent about 80 degrees and the other about 40 degrees. The nose wheel tire was ripped and had come off the hub. No other damage was reported.
Personnel Information
The student pilot was 19 years old, enrolled at the flying school since 1 November 2012, and held a valid second-class medical certificate. Total flight experience was 20 hours 32 minutes, including 6 hours 5 minutes on the Cessna 172S. In the 90 days preceding the incident, the pilot had flown 40 minutes (excluding the incident flight of about one hour).
Contributing Factor
The investigation concluded that the contributing factor was that decisions were changed during the most critical phase of flight in a short period, which was a difficult task considering the student pilot's experience. This resulted in improper handling that led to a steep nose-down landing attitude.