History of the Flight
On 16 January 2017, a Cessna 172S registered PK-MUA operated by PT. Mandiri Utama Flight Academy departed Blimbingsari Airport (WADY), Banyuwangi, East Java, for a solo training flight to the Panggang Bay training area. The student pilot completed preflight checks and reported no abnormalities. After engine start at 0215 UTC (0915 local time), the pilot contacted the Blimbingsari Tower controller for taxi clearance. The aircraft took off at 0235 UTC and climbed to 1,000 feet until the MUNCAR point, then to 3,000 feet en route to the training area.
At 0255 UTC, the pilot arrived at Panggang Bay and performed exercises including normal turns, medium turns, and slow flight. At 0303 UTC, the pilot requested to leave the area; the controller directed a return via MUNCAR with a descent to 1,500 feet. The pilot was then instructed to join the downwind leg for runway 08. A few minutes before landing, the controller informed another aircraft on final that the wind was 5 knots from 360 degrees. When PK-MUA was on final, the controller issued landing clearance without wind information. The approach was normal per training, and the student pilot requested a full-stop landing.
At 0317 UTC, before touchdown, the student pilot flared the aircraft, causing it to balloon. The pilot then pushed the control column slightly, resulting in the aircraft nose dropping and the propeller striking the runway. The student pilot's recovery technique was contrary to the ballooning recovery technique described in the Airplane Flying Handbook.
Damage and Fire
After the propeller strike, the aircraft stopped, and a fire appeared on the front right side. The student pilot evacuated through the left door. Examination of the wreckage revealed a broken fuel line on the right lower fuselage, most likely caused by impact. Fuel spillage and a spark, possibly from friction between aircraft parts and the runway, ignited the fire.
The controller observed the situation and alerted the Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (ARFF) by activating the siren and crash bell. Firefighters used two foam tenders, applying more than 6,500 liters of water mixed with foam over approximately 20 minutes to extinguish the fire. The Manual of Standard (MOS) 139 specified about 400 liters of water for that aircraft type, indicating that the extinguishing process was not effective. No one was injured. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and the post-impact fire.
Investigation Findings
The Komite Nasional Keselamatan Transportasi (KNKT) investigation identified two contributing factors: first, the ballooning recovery technique was contrary to the proper method, leading to the nose-down impact that broke the fuel line and initiated the fire; second, the fire extinguishing process was not effective, resulting in the destruction of the aircraft. The KNKT issued safety recommendations to PT. Mandiri Utama Flight Academy, Blimbingsari Airport operator, and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.