Kalaburagi:The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has concluded that the trainee pilot’s failure to follow proper landing procedures and the engine remaining at high power were the primary reasons for an aircraft veering off the runway at Kalaburagi Airport.
The incident involving a Diamond DA-40D aircraft (VT-SDR) belonging to Asia Pacific Flying Training Academy Limited occurred on November 6, 2025. The 20-year-old trainee pilot on board escaped without injuries, but the aircraft sustained damage to its nose landing gear and propeller blades.
According to the DGCA’s final investigation report, the trainee pilot had experienced difficulties with landing procedures in the past and was given additional training before being permitted to fly solo. However, during the third solo flight, the aircraft veered off the runway.On the day of the incident, at 8 a.m., the trainee pilot completed five circuit-and-landing practice exercises with a flight instructor. After assessing the performance as satisfactory, the instructor authorized the trainee to undertake the third solo circuit-and-landing flight.The pilot took off alone at 9:15 a.m.
During the first two landing attempts, the aircraft touched the ground and bounced back into the air. Consequently, the pilot performed a go-around on both occasions.Later, considering the favorable wind conditions, the instructor instructed the pilot over the radio to land on Runway 27 instead of Runway 09.
During the third landing attempt, the aircraft again touched the ground and bounced into the air. At that moment, the propeller struck the runway. When the aircraft began moving towards the right, the instructor instructed the pilot to reduce engine power to idle. However, the engine remained at high power.
As a result, the aircraft continued moving at high speed and veered off the right side of the runway. The aircraft then travelled approximately 56.8 metres across unpaved ground before coming to a stop.The nose landing gear assembly, its fairings, and the tips of all three propeller blades were damaged. The landing gear wheel also became detached. The pilot shut down the engine and safely exited the aircraft.
According to the investigation report, the trainee pilot had accumulated a total of 31 hours and 45 minutes of flying experience at the time of the incident, including two hours and 10 minutes of solo flying.The assessment conducted on September 5, 2025, during the pilot’s first solo circuit-and-landing flight was satisfactory.
However, during a subsequent training flight, the aircraft bounced during landing because the pilot did not perform the flare correctly. As a result, additional training was provided on landing procedures and the proper flare technique.On October 17, the instructor observed that the pilot needed to improve the flare technique during landing. Further training on this issue was provided on October 21.
During a flight on October 26, the approach speed was 20 knots above the expected speed. The aircraft was also flying too low during the approach. Because the pilot landed without performing the proper flare, the aircraft bounced, prompting the instructor to take control. Additional training was provided again on October 30.On November 1, the assessment of the pilot’s second solo flight and landing was satisfactory. During the assessment for the third solo flight on November 6, corrections were made to the pilot’s flare and touchdown techniques. The pilot was subsequently permitted to fly solo.
The trainee pilot underwent alcohol tests both before and after the flight on the day of the incident. Both tests returned negative results.Investigators examined the marks left on the runway when the propeller struck the surface and estimated that the aircraft was travelling at approximately 65.60 knots. According to the report, the normal approach speed for landing this aircraft is 60 knots.,The aircraft was not equipped with a cockpit voice recorder (CVR) or a digital flight data recorder (DFDR). Installing these devices was not mandatory for this aircraft type under the applicable regulations. Consequently, investigators could not use recorded data to establish the aircraft’s exact position and attitude at the moment of the incident.
The investigation report stated that no defects were found in the aircraft’s technical condition or maintenance. The aircraft’s registration and certificates were valid, and its weight and centre of gravity were within the prescribed limits. No technical defects had been reported during the preceding flight.Manufactured in 2007, the aircraft had undergone a major inspection on October 24, 2025. Major engine inspections had been completed on October 23 and 24.
Investigators concluded that neither the aircraft’s technical condition nor its maintenance procedures contributed to the incident. Weather conditions at the time were also favourable for flying. Therefore, weather was ruled out as a contributing factor.The DGCA investigation report identified the probable cause of the incident as the aircraft bouncing during landing and subsequently moving at high speed before veering off the runway because the pilot failed to follow proper landing procedures and left the engine at high power.The report also noted that problems with approach speed and flare technique may have contributed to the incident. It recommended providing the trainee pilot with additional training to ensure proper compliance with aircraft operating procedures. The report further stated that the DGCA headquarters may take any other measures it considers appropriate.
