What happened
On August 9, 2023, a flight training session was underway at the Krakow Aero Club airfield (EPKP) in Pobiednik Wielki. An instructor and a student pilot were conducting PPL(A) training maneuvers, specifically low circuits. After completing ten dual flights and a brief break, the student pilot began solo flights under the instructor's supervision. The instructor remained in the vicinity of the runway, maintaining radio contact.
During the seventh solo flight, the student pilot performed a landing that resulted in the nose wheel striking the runway first. This caused the Cessna 152, registration SP-REL, to bounce off the runway surface. Although the instructor provided radio instructions to increase engine power to correct the situation, the student pilot's delayed response caused the aircraft to enter an increasingly violent bouncing motion, often referred to as "kangaroo" behavior. During one of these bounces, the nose gear strut failed, the propeller struck the ground, and the tip of the left wing made contact with the surface. The aircraft came to a halt on the runway with the engine shut down. The student pilot reported no injuries and exited the cockpit unassisted.
The investigation
The PKBWL examined the sequence of events, the aircraft's condition, and the flight training context. The investigation included a physical inspection of the aircraft, which confirmed damage to the nose gear, propeller, and the left wing tip. Additionally, both the instructor and the student pilot underwent breathalyzer tests, which returned negative results for alcohol.
Findings
- The primary cause was a pilot error involving the student's failure to properly flare during the landing phase, which initiated the initial bounce.
- The student pilot failed to correctly apply corrective measures to stabilize the aircraft once the bouncing motion began.
- Contributing factors included the student's high level of confidence due to rapid progress in training, which may have led to reduced focus during the circuit.
- Fatigue may have played a role, as the incident occurred during the seventh consecutive solo flight without a break.