What happened
On 28 April 2016, a Cessna 172 G, registration PK-TGL, was conducting solo flight training at Budiarto Airport, Tangerang. The flight, operated by Global Aviation Flying School, was intended to consist of six touch-and-go exercises. After completing three successful maneuvers, the student pilot began the fourth exercise.
During the final approach, the pilot noticed the aircraft was positioned to the right of the centerline. In an attempt to realign with the runway, the pilot rolled the aircraft to the left. As the aircraft crossed the threshold at approximately 60 knots, the nose wheel touched down first. The aircraft then veered further to the right, eventually coming to a stop 23 meters from the runway centerline and outside the paved surface.
The investigation
The KNKT investigation focused on the landing technique, as there were no reported mechanical or system failures. The investigation examined the aircraft's flight path, the student pilot's actions, and the aerodynamic effects of power reduction. Investigators analyzed tire marks on the runway, which indicated that braking had been applied but that the aircraft was steadily deviating from the centerline.
Findings
- The aircraft was in a valid state of airworthiness with no technical abnormalities.
- The student pilot was performing their third solo flight.
- During the approach, the pilot's focus on correcting the lateral position caused a lack of rudder application to counteract the corkscrew effect caused by the reduction in engine power.
- The pilot's preoccupation with directional control led to a delayed flare, resulting in the nose wheel striking the runway first.
- The lateral deviation and the nose-first touchdown reduced the effective braking distance, contributing to the excursion.
Safety action
Following the incident, the airport operator advised flying schools to implement safety awareness training for students. The KNKT specifically recommended that the flight school introduce Approach and Landing Accident Reduction (ALAR) training, emphasizing stabilized approach criteria and the necessity of performing a go-around if those criteria are not met.