What happened
On 25 October 2022, a Textron Aviation 172S, registration 9M-HOT, was conducting a solo navigation training flight departing from Sultan Azlan Shah Airport, Ipost. During the flight, the trainee pilot encountered heavy rain and cumulonimbus clouds, necessitating a descent to a lower altitude.
Upon returning to the airport for landing, the pilot attempted an approach on Runway 04. The approach was unstable, characterized by excessive height and speed. The Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) showed four white lights, indicating the aircraft was well above the correct glide path. During the landing sequence, the aircraft struck the runway heavily, resulting in three consecutive bounces. The force of the impact was significant enough that the pilot's seat belt became unfastened, momentarily displacing the pilot from the seat. The aircraft eventually came to a stop after taxiing back to the bay, with no injuries reported to the pilot.
The investigation
AAIB Malaysia investigators examined the wreckage and analyzed data from the aircraft's Garmin G1000 electronic flight instrument system. The investigation focused on the flight path, the pilot's decision-making, and the training protocols of the operator, Layang Layang Flying Academy.
Investigators reviewed the aircraft's maintenance records, which showed the plane was airworthy and had undergone scheduled maintenance shortly before the incident. The team also examined the pilot's training history, noting that while the pilot was properly licensed, they had not flown the specific aircraft type for seven days prior to the accident. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the academy's training manual regarding solo flight requirements and the procedures for executing a go-around during an unstable approach.