Incident Details
On 13 April 2014 at 1503 UTC, a Cessna 152 (registration G-BONW) sustained damage to its nosewheel and bearing following a heavy landing at Sturgate Aerodrome, Lincolnshire. The aircraft was engaged in a private flight with only the pilot on board. No injuries were reported.
Pilot Information
The pilot, aged 86, held a National Private Pilot’s Licence and had accumulated 605 flying hours, of which 228 were on the Cessna 152 type. In the 90 days preceding the accident, the pilot had flown 4 hours, including 1 hour in the last 28 days.
Weather and Approach
Before departure, the aero club duty pilot briefed the pilot that the wind at the airfield had been recorded gusting up to 20 knots but appeared to have subsided. During the flight, the pilot encountered blustery and unstable conditions. On the approach to land, significant turbulence was experienced. When the aircraft was approximately four feet above the runway, it “dropped to the ground without warning,” resulting in a heavy landing.
Damage
After landing, the aircraft taxied normally to the parking area. However, a post-shutdown inspection revealed damage to the nosewheel and bearing.