What happened
On 31 May 2022, an ATR 72-212A, registration PK-WGF, operated by PT Wings Abadi Airlines, arrived at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali from Lombok. The flight, carrying 68 passengers and four crew members, landed without incident on Runway 09. Following touchdown, ground controllers directed the aircraft to exit via Taxiway N4 and follow a departing aircraft.
As the aircraft proceeded along the apron, the crew was assigned to Parking Stand A41. While taxiing, the Second in Command (SIC) noted that the assigned stand was located near several parked buses. During the taxi maneuver, the aircraft turned onto Taxiway NW6, which the SIC identified as the incorrect route. While the SIC was in the process of contacting the ground controller to verify the parking position, the Pilot in Command (PIC) executed a left turn toward Taxi and NW7. During this maneuver, the aircraft's main wheels descended into an apron ditch.
The investigation
The KNKT investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the aircraft becoming stuck. Physical examination of the site revealed that the aircraft had performed a 90-degree left turn from the NW6 guidelines before the wheels became trapped. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft sustained substantial damage, including a crack on the lower fuselage aft of the main landing gear compartment, a bent landing gear compartment wall, and damage to the metal covers of the ditch. No injuries were reported among the passengers or crew, who evacuated via the service door.
Findings
- The crew was actively communicating with ground control to rectify a navigation error when the incident occurred.
- The PIC performed a turning maneuver toward Taxiway NW7 while the SIC was still verifying the assigned parking instructions.
- The aircraft's main wheels entered an unprotected ditch during the turn.
- The pilots had no prior experience parking at Stand A41, and it was only the second flight the crew had operated together.