History of the Flight
On 14 October 2022, a Piper PA28-181 Archer III, registration 9M-SKF, operated by Malaysian Flying Academy, was conducting solo circuit training at Malacca International Airport. The cadet pilot (CP), who held a Student Pilot Licence and had accumulated 41:30 total flight hours, was performing one touch-and-go and one full-stop landing as per the syllabus. After a normal landing on Runway 03, the CP advanced power for take-off. The aircraft began to yaw left due to its inherent left yawing tendency. The CP did not apply sufficient right rudder and panicked, losing directional control. The aircraft continued left, departing the runway onto grass and coming to rest approximately 95 metres left of the runway centreline, between intersections Delta and Charlie. The CP did not reduce power or shut down the engine during the excursion. The ATC controller activated the crash alarm at 1104 LT, and Airport Fire Rescue Services responded, finding the CP conscious but in shock. The CP was taken to a clinic for a medical check-up. Runway operations resumed after inspection at 1200 LT.
Personnel Information
The CP was a 21-year-old male with 41:30 total flight hours, all on type. He held a Student Pilot Licence valid until 31 August 2023.
Aircraft Information
The Piper PA-28-181 Archer III is a four-seat, single-engine aircraft with fixed tricycle landing gear and a fixed-pitch propeller. The aircraft, manufactured in 2014, had a Certificate of Airworthiness valid until 10 February 2023 and had accumulated 4,213:30 total flight hours. No abnormalities or malfunctions were reported before or during the flight.
Meteorological Conditions
At the time of the incident (1103 LT), weather was fine with visibility exceeding 10 kilometres. Surface wind was from 240° at 6 knots.
Injuries and Damage
The CP reported no physical injuries. An aircraft damage assessment completed on 24 November 2022 found no damage to the fuselage, wings, undercarriage, flight controls, engine, propeller, or avionics. No damage to aerodrome facilities or other property occurred.
Probable Cause
The incident occurred because the cadet pilot did not anticipate enough right rudder and panicked, leading to loss of control.