History of the Flight
On 10 July 2014, a student pilot flying a Cessna 152 (G-BZWH) was conducting solo circuits at Perth Airport, Scotland. Earlier that day, he had flown with his instructor from Aberdeen, practicing circuits including touch-and-go landings and a go-around. After two uneventful solo circuits, the aircraft was refueled. The student initially did not wish to fly a second solo flight due to feeling he had not flown well, but his instructor encouraged him, noting good weather and correct decision-making.
During the first circuit of the second solo flight, the student decided to go around from the approach because he felt poorly positioned. On the second approach, he was determined to land. However, upon touchdown, the aircraft bounced back into the air. He pushed the control column forward, resulting in a second, higher bounce. The instructor, observing from the ground, described the motion as "divergent bounces."
The Go-Around and Stall
The student then applied power to go around and raised the flap. He heard the stall warning horn, the aircraft yawed left, and the left wing dropped, striking the ground. The aircraft cartwheeled through 360 degrees before coming to rest. The student, unhurt, vacated through the left door. Damage included the nose landing gear, left wing, and fuselage.
Human Factors
The instructor's judgment was key in encouraging the student to fly solo, despite the student's reluctance. Two months had passed since the student's first solo flight. The student's determination to land may have led him to push the control column forward after the first bounce instead of applying power for a go-around. The student described a "feeling of losing control" and a "desire to land." The left yaw and wing-drop indicated a stall during the go-around attempt. Raising the flap may have reduced the airspeed margin above stall speed.