Flight History
On 11 November 2024, a PA-28-161 Warrior III aircraft, registered as PK-PBC, was operated by PT Mitra Aviasi Perkasa (Perkasa Flight School) for mutual training. The flight was planned to depart from Tunggul Wulung Airport (WAHL), Cilacap, to the NANGUN Training Area, located on bearing 095° approximately 14 NM east of Tunggul Wulung, before returning to the airport. Planned exercises included basic maneuvers and VOR radial tracking.
During pre-flight checks, student pilots did not identify any aircraft system malfunction. Engine running and warm-up were conducted prior to departure. The aircraft departed at about 0149 UTC (0849 LT) and climbed to 2,000 feet, then to 3,000 feet upon reaching the MAOS Training Area.
While conducting VOR radial tracking at 2,000 feet in the NANGUN Training Area, the aircraft experienced rough engine running, and both FADEC A and B warning lights flashed, indicating an engine system malfunction. The PF attempted to reset the FADEC by pressing the test button for two seconds, but the lights remained on. The PF then activated the FORCE B switch, but neither action restored normal engine operation. As the aircraft descended from 2,000 to 1,500 feet, a gradual loss of engine power was observed, with decreasing RPM and load. Moving the throttle lever produced no change. The PF did not attempt an engine restart because altitude had dropped below 1,000 feet.
The PM declared a MAYDAY to Tunggul Wulung ATC, reporting engine failure and altitude loss. The aircraft maintained a glide speed of 75–80 knots. The student pilots decided to land along the Cemara Sewu coastline after determining the aircraft could not reach the airport. Initially planning a westbound landing, they changed to eastbound after observing people in the intended area. The aircraft was configured with flaps up, the landing area confirmed clear, and the PF shut down and secured the engine before touchdown.
At about 0231 UTC, the aircraft touched down on the coastline. The pilots did not apply braking but pulled back on the control stick to keep the nose wheel off the surface and reduce landing impact. After a landing roll of about 180 meters, the nose wheel sank into soft sand, and the aircraft came to a complete stop.
Engine Examination
The aircraft engine was examined at the manufacturer’s facility in Germany. Controlled engine test runs were performed on a bench stand under various configurations of the FADEC and injectors. The test results indicated an internal malfunction in Injector No. 2.
Safety Actions
At the time of report issuance, KNKT was informed of several safety actions by Perkasa Flying School. The flying school revised its Company Maintenance Manual by adding a Maintenance Ground Run-Up Procedure that must be performed by an engineer. The revised manual also included Anomalies Monitoring Procedures and a Maintenance Pre-Flight Procedure.