What happened
On 8 July 2017, a Cessna C-152, registration 9M-FBS, was involved in an accident during a student pilot's first solo circuit and landing session at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Selangor, Malaysia. The flight began uneventfully, but while established on the downwind leg, the pilot performed a left-hand orbit to maintain spacing behind another aircraft.
During the landing phase on Runway 15, the aircraft bounced and ballooned twice on the main landing gear. In an attempt to stabilize the aircraft, the pilot increased power slightly rather than immediately executing a go-around. This resulted in a second bounce, followed by a hard landing where the aircraft struck the runway in a nose-down attitude. The impact caused the nosewheel assembly to collapse and the propeller to strike the runway surface. The pilot, who was the sole occupant and sustained no injuries, was able to exit the aircraft unassisted, though a fuel leak was noted following the impact.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation examined the flight sequence, the aircraft's condition, and the pilot's actions. Investigators reviewed the student pilot's training records and found her qualifications and flight training methods to be standard. The investigation also assessed the physical evidence, noting that scuff marks on the runway were consistent with the nosewheel collapse. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the nosewheel gear, propeller, and engine cowling.