Runway Excursion, Smart Cakrawala Aviation (Cessna C208B Pk-Sni); Bandar Udara Bilorai, Papua, KNKT.23.07.13.04

On 21 July 2023 a Cessna C208B EX aircraft, registration PK-SNI was being operated by PT. Smart Cakrawala Aviation (Smart Aviation) for an unscheduled passenger cargo flight.

The occurrence flight was the third flight of the day for the pilots, which was from Douw Aturure Airport of Nabire, (WABI), Papua, to Bilorai Airport of Sugapa, (WAYB), Papua.

The aircraft departed from Nabire at 0045 UTC (0945 LT) and cruised at altitude of 9,500 feet. On board this flight were 2 pilots and 5 passengers and 1,003 kg of cargo. The Pilot in Command (PIC) acted as Pilot Flying (PF), and the Second in Command (SIC) acted as Pilot Monitoring (PM).

About 0127 UTC (1027 LT), the aircraft touched down on the threshold area of Runway 09 with a ground speed of 93 knots, and indicated airspeed about 85 knots. The PIC operated the reverser, and shortly after, the PIC felt the aircraft slightly tilted to the left and assumed that the left main landing gear tire burst. The PIC attempted to maintain the aircraft rolling at centerline by applying the right rudder pedal up to maximum, the control column deflected slightly to the right, and applying the propeller lever in beta to low idle several times. The aircraft was still going to the left side of the runway and continued exiting the left side of the runway. After passing on the wet and slippery grass the aircraft stopped with the left main landing gear dropped into a ditch.

The PIC shut down the aircraft engine, then performed the evacuation procedure for passengers and the crew. No one was injured in this occurrence. At the time of issuing this investigation report, the KNKT had not been informed of any safety actions resulting from this occurrence. KNKT has not issued safety recommendations in this preliminary report.

The investigation is continuing, should any further relevant safety issues emerge during the investigation, KNKT will immediately bring the issues to the attention of the relevant parties and publish as required.