What happened
On July 14, 2009, at Radawiec Airport (EPLR) in Poland, a Cessna 152, registration SP-KAI, was performing solo training maneuvers as part of a flight training program. The student pilot was executing the final phase of an approach to landing during a solo circuit flight.
During the approach, the student pilot observed a helicopter on a collision course, though this was not confirmed by witnesses. As the aircraft reached the final approach, the instructor, monitoring the flight via radio from the airfield, observed that the aircraft was too high and approaching at an excessive speed. The instructor issued a command for the student to execute a go-around (second circuit).
However, the student pilot did not comply with the instruction and continued the landing attempt. In response to a subsequent command from the instructor to apply full power and takeoff flaps, the student pilot performed the procedures in the wrong order: first retracting the flaps from 30° to 10°, which reduced lift and caused the aircraft to descend rapidly, and then increasing engine power. This resulted in a heavy landing on the main gear. The aircraft bounced three times—a phenomenon known as "kangaroos"—before the nose gear struck the ground. The impact caused the nose gear to break away from the airframe, leading the rotating propeller to strike the ground. The aircraft sustained significant damage to the nose gear, propeller, and engine cowling, but the pilot escaped without injury.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation examined the student pilot's training history, the instructor's oversight, and the sequence of cockpit actions. The investigation noted that the student had previously struggled with certain flight elements, leading to a temporary suspension of training earlier in the year. The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's maintenance records and the specific procedures for a go-around as outlined in the Cessna 152 Pilot's Operating Handbook.
Findings
- The student pilot failed to follow the instructor's radio command to execute a go-around.
- The student pilot performed the go-around procedures in the incorrect order, retracting flaps before establishing sufficient power, which induced a high sink rate.
- The student pilot demonstrated an inability to correct landing errors, specifically failing to manage the bounces during the landing.
- The student pilot's attention was divided during the final approach.
- The instructor failed to provide corrective radio guidance (such as pitch control advice) after the first heavy touchdown occurred.