At about 03:10 UTC in cruise, AP 2 had disconnected with the master warning sounding. The aircraft, started to descend below the selected FCU altitude. A few seconds later AP 1 was engaged and the aircraft was still in a descent. Subsequently, AP 1 also disengaged and the master warning was triggered. Few seconds later AP 2 engaged. The aircraft lost altitude and descended approx. 1540ft at a rate of 5700ft/min on the VSI (Vertical Speed Indicator). Then AP2 was re-engaged in open climb mode and the aircraft commenced climb to FL 390.

Piper PA 38- 112 aircraft bearing registration number 4R-ASJ, had departed approx. at 1305hrs (LT) on 22^nd December 2021 for a solo training cross country navigation flight to Dondra. The flight was planned to overfly Dondra at 3500ft and to carry out “touch and go” with circuits at VCCK and VCCN and to operate within 05NM to 15NM south of VCCC and to carryout circuits.  

The VCCC Control Tower had cleared the flight to proceed to Dondra at 1500ft. When the aircraft was passing the “Kalu Ganga” (River), ATC control had transferred to the VCCN Tower. While maintaining cruise altitude at 1500ft, the aircraft had encountered an engine RPM drop over the southwest of VCCN and subsequently the PIC had carried out an emergency landing at Payagala beach.