Flight History
On 09 August 2019, a Cessna 150M aircraft, registration 8Q-GAC, operated by Asian Academy of Aeronautics, departed Gan International Airport at approximately 15:20 local time for a training flight. The aircraft was conducting its fourth training flight of the day, with an instructor pilot and a student pilot onboard. The student pilot was flying under the hood at an altitude of 1500 feet in the training area designated 'Charlie', located about 6.7 nautical miles northeast of Gan.
Engine Power Loss
About 20 minutes into the flight, the crew noticed a partial loss of engine power. The instructor pilot immediately took control and attempted to restore power by adjusting the throttle and mixture controls, but these actions did not improve the situation. The aircraft began to lose altitude.
Emergency Declaration and Ditching
After exhausting corrective measures, the instructor pilot declared an emergency and informed Gan Air Traffic Control, requesting clearance for an emergency landing. At approximately 4 nautical miles from Gan, with the aircraft altitude between 700 and 1000 feet, the instructor decided to ditch near the reef of Vilingili island. The aircraft was landed safely on the water.
Rescue and Injuries
The crew swam out of the aircraft and remained afloat as it slowly sank. Shortly afterward, they were rescued by a nearby boat and taken to the Shangri-La Resort on Vilingili island. Both crew members received medical treatment for minor injuries and were released by the doctor, after which they returned to their base on Gan Island.
Investigation
The Accident Investigation Coordinating Committee (AICC) was notified of the serious incident at 16:10 hours on the same day. The investigation began on 10 August 2019, with two investigators from the Civil Aviation Authority arriving in Gan and interviewing both crew members.