What happened
On 19 September 2014, a Cessna 172, registration PK-MSN, was conducting solo area training maneuvers near Trunojoyo Airport, Sumenep. After successfully completing an initial flight to the Puteran Training Area and a first touch-and-go maneuver, the student pilot attempted a second touch-and-go.
During this second attempt, shortly after becoming airborne, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of power. The pilot declared a Mayday emergency via the Trunojoy and AFIS officer. Witnesses observed the aircraft at an altitude of approximately 400 feet before it banked sharply to the right and descended into a paddy field roughly 500 meters from the end of runway 12. The impact resulted in the fatal injury of the student pilot and substantial damage to the aircraft.
The investigation
The KNKT investigation focused on the engine's performance and the pilot's flight maneuvers. Laboratory examinations of the engine components revealed significant carbon deposits and localized melting on the piston surfaces. Analysis of the wreckage and flight path suggested that the aircraft's trajectory was uncontrolled during the final moments of flight.
Investigators also reviewed the student pilot's training records, which noted previous difficulties with speed control, landing techniques, and emergency field selection. Notably, while previous training sessions had flagged improper flight techniques during forced landing exercises, there was no evidence that instructors had implemented corrective actions for these specific deficiencies.