What happened
On 31 May 2017, a Super King Air 350i, registration PK-CAQ, was performing a non-scheduled positioning flight from Makassar to Ambon, with a final destination of Biak. The flight, operated by Balai Besar Kalibrasi Fasilitas Penerbangan, carried two pilots and five passengers.
During the descent toward Pattimura International Airport, the crew was notified by air traffic controllers that weather conditions were deteriorating, with visibility dropping to between 1,000 and 1,500 meters due to rain. In anticipation of potential wind shear, the pilot in command briefed the crew to delay the selection of full flaps and to maintain a higher approach speed.
As the aircraft approached runway 04, the crew requested maximum runway light intensity to assist with visibility. Upon touchdown, the pilot reduced power, but the aircraft experienced a bounce. This was immediately followed by a nose landing gear collapse, causing the aircraft to veer to the right of the runway. The aircraft eventually came to a stop approximately 1,650 meters from the runway threshold near taxiway B. All seven occupants evacuated the aircraft without injury.
The investigation
The KNKT investigation examined the aircraft's condition, the meteorological data, and the flight sequence. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was airworthy and within its proper weight and balance limits prior to departure. The crew members held valid licenses and medical certificates. The investigation also reviewed the impact of the weather, noting that heavy rain and reduced visibility were present during the approach phase.