What happened
On 18 August 2023, a cadet pilot was conducting a solo navigation flight in a Piper PA-28-181 Archer III, registration 9M-ITQ, departing from Malacca International Airport. Although the flight was initially delayed due to unfavorable weather, the pilot proceeded with the mission once conditions appeared to clear. However, upon takeoff, the pilot found that visibility remained insufficient to rely on visual ground references, necessitating a transition from Visual Flight Rules (VFR) to instrument-based navigation using GPS and VOR.
During the approach to Runway 21, the aircraft experienced a series of bounces upon contacting the runway surface. Rather than initiating a go-around, the pilot attempted to force the aircraft into a landing. This resulted in a hard impact that caused the nose landing gear to collapse. The aircraft's nose dropped and scraped the runway surface before coming to a stop off the centerline. The pilot immediately evacuated the aircraft due to fears of a potential fire.
The investigation
AAIB Malaysia investigators examined the aircraft's Garmin G1000 system data and analyzed the flight profile. The investigation also included a review of the pilot's psychological state and the operational circumstances leading to the incident. The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller tips, the nose landing gear, the DME antenna, and the aircraft belly skin. There were no injuries to the pilot or any other persons.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was poor airmanship characterized by over-controlling, specifically the decision to force the aircraft to land despite multiple bounces.
- The pilot failed to perform a necessary go-around despite recognizing that the aircraft was losing altitude, descending too rapidly, and falling below the glide slope.
- The pilot's performance was degraded by significant personal distractions and emotional distress, which led to anxiety and panic during the flight.
- The pilot's lack of sufficient experience and knowledge contributed to an inability to focus and manage the unstable approach effectively.