KUALA LUMPUR – A light aircraft flown by a trainee pilot had an incident upon landing at the Melaka International Airport earlier today, the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) confirmed.
The nosewheel of the Piper PA-28-181, 9M-ITX aircraft, operated by the International Aero Training Academy, collapsed upon landing at 3.07pm today, CAAM chief executive officer Datuk Norazman Mahmud said.
There were no casualties and airport operations resumed about an hour later, he said in a statement.
A nosewheel collapse, also known as wheelbarrowing, occurs when too much weight is transferred onto the nosewheel instead of the main gear, reducing the aircraft’s directional stability.
Such incidents can be avoided by applying back pressure during takeoffs, to reduce the weight pressure on the nosewheel.
Norazman said the aircraft was removed at 3.35pm and towed into a nearby hangar.
“The airport resumed normal operations at 4.12pm after all safety inspections were completed,”
Norazman also said that the Air Accident Investigation Bureau will conduct a safety investigation under the Transport Ministry, under Part XXVI of the Civil Aviation Regulations 2016. – January 23, 2024