Accident Details
On 23 April 2017 at 1300 UTC, a Cessna 195 (registration N3458V, serial number 7159) was involved in an accident at Dunkeswell Aerodrome, Devon. The aircraft was manufactured in 1948 and powered by one Jacobs L4 /R755-7 piston engine. The flight was private with only the pilot on board; there were no passengers. The pilot reported no injuries, but the aircraft sustained significant airframe damage.
Pilot Information
The 67-year-old pilot held a Private Pilot’s Licence and had accumulated a total of 2,643 flying hours, including 8 hours on the Cessna 195. In the last 90 days, he had flown 18 hours, with 11 hours in the last 28 days.
Accident Narrative
According to the pilot’s report, he had completed three circuits. During the third landing, the aircraft bounced on touchdown. The bounce caused the pilot’s feet to lift up the rudder pedals, inadvertently operating the brakes. Because the aircraft was only equipped with lap strap restraints, the pilot’s upper body was thrown forward during the bounce, preventing him from either arresting the descent or removing his feet from the brakes. Immediately after touchdown, the aircraft pitched forward onto its nose and became inverted before coming to a stop. The pilot was able to exit the aircraft without assistance.
Conclusion
The accident sequence is as reported by the pilot. No additional causal factors were identified in the AAIB bulletin.