History of the Flight
Two student pilots, both holding PPL licenses, were flying a cross-country training flight from Charleroi Airport to Saint-Hubert Airfield (EBSH). It was the first landing at EBSH for both. They approached runway 14L with full flaps at 65 knots. Touchdown occurred about 200 meters past the threshold. After rolling for approximately 100 meters, the airplane bounced once, lifting off 2-3 meters. The pilot in command then pushed the stick forward, causing the airplane to pitch down and strike the runway nose-first. This resulted in a second, higher bounce. The nose landing gear broke upon impact. The pilots exited the aircraft uninjured.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Cessna 152, registered in Belgium, with a valid Certificate of Airworthiness and Airworthiness Review Certificate.
Pilot Information
The pilot in command was 25 years old, held a Private Pilot Licence issued on 28 February 2012, and had 92 total flight hours (30 as PIC, 5 since PPL). Most training was on hard surface runways; grass experience was at EBNM, which had a less uneven surface than EBSH.
Meteorological Information
Conditions at the time were CAVOK, temperature 10°C, wind 190° at 4-8 knots, QNH 1015 hPa.
Damage
The nose landing gear leg ruptured, engine mount failed, cowlings were scratched and dented, propeller blades bent, and the firewall deformed. The aircraft was declared damaged beyond economical repair.
Cause and Contributing Factors
The probable cause was a slightly too high landing speed and high rolling speed, combined with the pilot's reflex to push the yoke forward in response to the bounce, which was exacerbated by the uneven runway surface. A contributing factor was the pilot's low experience, particularly on grass runways.