What happened
On 18 September 2014, a Cessna 172M Skyhawk, registration G-BIHI, was engaged in a private local flight departing from Fenland Airfield, Lincolnshire. During the flight, the pilot encountered a lowering cloud base and declining visibility, prompting a decision to return to the airfield.
As the aircraft rejoined the airfield, the pilot adopted a circuit pattern closer to the airfield than usual due to the reduced visibility. While on final approach for runway 36, a light headwind and the modified flight path resulted in the aircraft being positioned higher than a standard approach. Despite the high approach, the pilot decided to proceed with the landing rather than performing a go-around. Upon touchdown, the aircraft bounced, causing the nose landing gear to strike the ground prematurely and collapse. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger, though the aircraft sustained damage to the propeller and the nose landing gear.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight circumstances, the weather conditions at the time of the accident, and the pilot's decision-making process. The inquiry focused on the impact of the deteriorating visibility on the pilot's approach profile and the sequence of events leading to the gear collapse.