What happened
On 27 August 2017, a CessNA 152, registration G-BIDH, was performing a training flight at Beverley Airfield in the East Riding of Yorkshire. The aircraft was being operated by a student pilot who had previously completed several successful landings, including a solo full-stop. During a touch-and-go maneuver on the grass runway, the pilot executed an approach into the wind. While the pilot initially judged the touchdown to be successful, the aircraft began to veer to the left once all wheels were in contact with the ground.
In an attempt to maintain the centerline, the pilot applied right rudder and increased engine power in preparation for the subsequent takeoff. Despite these efforts, the aircraft departed the runway, traveling across a patch of long grass. The pilot attempted to use the brakes and believed power was being reduced, but the aircraft continued its path until it struck a pole supporting the airfield's windsock. The impact caused the propeller to detach from the engine. The pilot successfully shut off the fuel and electrical systems before exiting the nose-down aircraft; there were no injuries to the crew.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and the airfield environment to determine the cause of the excursion. An instructor, who was monitoring the flight from the clubhouse via radio, witnessed the event. The instructor noted that the landing appeared good initially but observed the subsequent veer. Although the instructor transmitted a radio instruction to the pilot to reduce power, the student pilot had no memory of receiving this communication.
Physical inspection of the Cessna 152 revealed significant damage, including a broken nose landing gear support strut and a fractured nosewheel fork arm. While the operator suggested the strut failure might have contributed to the loss of control, investigators noted the damage appeared consistent with the impact with the pole. Furthermore, the engine's throttle was found in the fully open position. The damage to the windsock pole and the engine itself—specifically the tearing of all six threaded inserts from the crankshaft flange—indicated that the propeller struck the pole while the engine was at a high power setting.