Factual Information
On 20 April 2020, a Pacific Aerospace FU 24-950 (Fletcher) aircraft, registration PK-PNZ, operated by PT Sinar Mas Super Air as an agriculture (fertilizer spraying) flight, was involved in a serious incident at Mambruk Airstrip, Lereh, Papua. The aircraft was conducting its 15th fertilizer spraying flight of the day, with each flight lasting approximately 10 minutes. The pilot, who held a valid Private Pilot License and had 1,572 total flying hours (1,410 on type), performed a normal approach and landing on runway 36. The aircraft touched down at about 55 knots and continued rolling toward the fertilizer bin at the end of the runway.
During the landing roll, the pilot heard an impact sound from below the aircraft and felt the nose become lower. The pilot applied propeller reverse and maximum braking to stop the aircraft, which veered left and came to rest on the grass shoulder. After shutdown, the pilot found the nose wheel collapsed and all three propeller blades bent. The ground support team later discovered a dead boar approximately 120 meters from the beginning of runway 36.
The aircraft sustained minor damage: the nose gear cylinder fractured, fuselage skin on the lower attachment bracket cracked, all propeller blades bent, the engine air intake area was damaged, and the engine starter generator fractured. No injuries occurred.
The airstrip's west side area was a conservation zone used by local people for livestock boar farming. The fence and gutter condition allowed the boar to cross and enter the airstrip.
Aircraft and Personnel
The aircraft, manufactured in 1972 by Pacific Aerospace Corporation Ltd. (serial number 172), had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness and Certificate of Registration. It was equipped with a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-11AG engine (serial number PCE-RH096) and a Hartzell HC-B3TN-3D propeller (serial number BUA 31097). The nose wheel was fitted with a mudguard (fender) installed in September 2008.
The pilot, aged 49, joined the company in May 2011 and completed Fletcher training in 2016. His last line and proficiency checks were on 17 May 2019. The flight time on the day of the occurrence was 2 hours.
Safety Actions
During the investigation, KNKT was informed of safety actions taken by the aircraft operator and airstrip operator. KNKT acknowledged these actions and considered them relevant to improve safety issues identified. Therefore, no safety recommendations were issued.