Ground Collision, Susi Air (Cessna Grand Caravan 208B Pk-Bve); Bandar Udara Yuvai Semaring, KNKT.22.5.02.04

On 24 May 2022, a Cessna 208B aircraft registered PK-BVE was being operated by PT. ASI Pudjiastuti Aviation (Susi Air) for unscheduled passenger flight. At 0958 LT, on a daylight condition, the aircraft departed from Malinau to Long Bawan with 12 passengers on board and cruised at altitude of 6,500 feet. In this flight, the Pilot in Command (PIC) acted as Pilot Flying (PF) and the Second in Command (SIC) acted as Pilot Monitoring (PM).

About 10 Nm to Long Bawan, the PM made initial contact with the Long Bawan Flight Information Service Officer (FISO) and was informed of the meteorological information including the visibility of the Long Bawan was 5 Km. The FISO also advised that the runway in use was Runway 22 and provided traffic information.

When the aircraft was on long final Runway 22, the PM reported to the FISO and was advised the Runway 22 was clear.

At 1025 LT, the aircraft landed using Runway 22 and making 180° turn maneuver to vacate the runway via Taxiway C. While taxiing to the apron, the PIC discussed with the SIC regarding the aircraft parking position as the PIC has not flown to Long Bawan for eight months. The SIC informed to the PIC that the parking area supposed to be near the terminal area. The PIC decided to taxi the aircraft close to the apron edge line and to park the aircraft near to the terminal building with intention to comfort the passenger disembarkation and provide sufficient space to the other arrival aircraft.

During the taxi to the intended parking area, the pilot did not see any other aircraft or obstruction in the taxi path. Both pilots focused ahead of the taxi path and sometimes the PIC observed the surface of the taxi path.

At the intersection Taxiway C and the apron, the aircraft was turned to the left and taxied along the northwest side of the apron. When the aircraft was about on intersection of apron and Taxiway A, the aircraft was maneuvered 090° right turn. Thereafter, the aircraft was maneuvered by another 090° right turn on the southeast of the apron with intention to position the aircraft facing northwest direction on the south side of the apron. When the aircraft on the second 90° right turn, the left-wing leading edge impacted an apron floodlighting pole. The aircraft stopped and the PF shutdown the engine followed by passenger disembarkation.

The KNKT acknowledged the safety action taken by the aircraft operator was relevant in improving safety, however, there still remain safety issues that need to be considered. Therefore, the KNKT issues the following safety recommendations addressed to the airport operator.

The investigation is continuing and KNKT plans to complete the investigation within 12 months since the day of the occurrence. Should any further relevant safety issues emerge during the course of the investigation, KNKT will immediately bring the issues to the attention of the relevant parties and publish as required.