Cessna 172 SP PK-APA Serious Incident at Banyuwangi Airport

Incident Overview and Flight History On 14 June 2024, a Cessna 172 SP aircraft, registered PK-APA, was operated by Akademi Penerbang Indonesia (API) Banyuwangi for a solo training exercise as part of a private pilot certification course. The student pilot, a 19-year-old holding a valid Student Pilot License, completed a pre-flight check without finding any system malfunctions. The aircraft departed Banyuwangi Airport (WADY) at 0808 local time (LT) on Runway 26 and proceeded to the Panggang Bay training area to perform descending, climbing, and slow flight turn maneuvers. ## Approach and Landing Sequence After completing the training exercises, the aircraft returned to Banyuwangi at 0850 LT. The student pilot was instructed by the Banyuwangi Tower controller to join the left traffic pattern for Runway 08. At 0903 LT, the aircraft joined the final approach at an altitude of 450 feet with an indicated airspeed (IAS) of 73 knots. The controller issued landing clearance, noting surface winds of 120° at 6 knots. At 09:04:26 LT, the aircraft passed the runway threshold at 96 feet with an IAS of 70 knots. The pitch angle initially fluctuated between 0° and 6° as the engine RPM was reduced. At 09:04:39 LT, the aircraft touched down at a recorded altitude of 41 feet with an IAS of 48 knots. The student pilot reported that the main and nose wheels contacted the runway almost simultaneously, resulting in a three-point landing. ## Damage and Safety Actions Following the initial touchdown, the aircraft bounced four times, with the nose wheel making contact first on each subsequent bounce. The final touchdown recorded a normal acceleration of 1.36 G. The incident resulted in damage to the nose landing gear assembly, bent propeller tips, a dented engine exhaust muffler, and dented front lower skin and engine cowling. The student pilot declared a distress message, and the Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Service (ARFFS) evacuated the pilot. No injuries were reported. The investigation highlighted a late round-out (flare) maneuver and the absence of a bouncing recovery maneuver.