What happened
On 7 May 2018, a Reims Cessna FRA150M Aerobat, registration G-BEKN, was conducting a private flight from Fenland Aerodrome to Peterborough Sibson Airfield. The flight included the pilot and one passenger.
During the approach to Sibson, the pilot configured the aircraft with 30 degrees of flaps. The pilot believed the approach speed was 80 mph; however, the actual speed was 80 knots (approximately 92 mph). Upon touchdown, the aircraft struck the runway heavily and bounced into the air. A subsequent bounce resulted in a porpoising motion.
As the aircraft approached the end of the runway, where tall trees were located, the pilot elected to continue the landing rather than performing a go-around. During a third bounce, the nosewheel leg failed, causing the nosewheel and steering arms to detach. The aircraft also sustained a bent propeller and damage to the lower engine cowling.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the circumstances of the approach and the mechanical failure of the landing gear. The pilot noted that much of his previous experience was in Cessna 150 aircraft that utilized airspeed indicators marked in mph rather than knots, which contributed to the error in speed estimation during this approach.