Introduction
On 18 May 2018, a Cessna 152 (serial number 152-85903, built 1984) operated by Royal Aéro ParaClub de Spa experienced a runway excursion during a solo touch-and-go landing at Aérodrome Spa/La Sauvenière. The accident occurred at 12:54 UTC. The aircraft sustained substantial damage; the pilot, the sole occupant, was uninjured.
Flight History
The student pilot, aged 52, had approximately 20 hours of dual instruction and 5 solo touch-and-go landings prior to the accident. Ten days earlier, he completed his first successful solo flight with three touch and goes. A few days later, he flew with his instructor. On the accident day, the student first performed a 40-minute instructional dual flight consisting of touch and goes, after which the instructor suggested solo touch and goes under supervision. The active runway was 05 with a right-hand circuit. All touch and goes were performed with flaps set at 10° down for both landing and take-off.
Accident Sequence
The first solo touch and go was uneventful. On the second circuit, while on final, the student realized he was too high and executed a go-around, which the instructor considered a good decision. The third circuit ended with a very good landing, according to the instructor. However, after touchdown, when the student applied full power, the airplane drifted left, struck a runway edge light with the right main wheel, and departed the concrete runway onto the grass strip. The airplane briefly became airborne, and the student closed the throttle. Shortly after, the airplane touched down violently on the nose landing gear, which collapsed. Damage included the propeller, nose landing gear, engine mount, and firewall.
Investigation
Post-accident inspection revealed no pre-impact damage or anomaly that could have caused loss of control. The student stated he did not understand why he could not control yaw using the right rudder pedal after applying full throttle. Wind was 07 kt from 330°, a gentle left crosswind relative to runway 05. The investigation noted possible effects of propeller slipstream and crosswind requiring right rudder, but as the student had successfully completed the first touch and go in similar conditions, stress, fatigue, or a brief relaxation of attention may have contributed. Another possibility was wheelbarrowing, where forward pressure on the control wheel concentrates weight on the nosewheel, leading to loss of directional control. The pilot may have instinctively turned the control wheel right, like steering a car, which in an airplane increases left drift due to asymmetrical drag.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the accident is the combination of an inadequate yaw and pitch control after applying full throttle during the take-off roll in a touch and go.
Safety Actions
The instructor suggested that initial solo flights might be better conducted with single landings followed by a full stop and taxi back, rather than touch-and-go landings.