What happened
On 28 June 2006, a Cessna 150M, registration G-BTGP, was involved in an accident at Leicester Airport during a training flight. The aircraft, operated by a student pilot, was performing the second leg of a cross-country flight required for a Private Pilot Licence, traveling from Gloucester to Leicester.
While attempting to land on Runway 28, the aircraft was traveling at an excessive speed and maintained too high an altitude on the approach. Instead of executing a go-around, the pilot attempted to continue the landing. The aircraft made contact with the runway on its nose wheel roughly halfway down the strip. This resulted in the collapse of the nose landing gear, causing the propeller to strike the runway surface.
Following the collapse, the pilot applied increased power in an attempt to take off, but the aircraft failed to lift off. The aircraft continued down the runway, striking the propeller and nose wheel again before veering left and coming to a stop in a nearby field. The pilot sustained minor injuries and was able to exit the aircraft without assistance.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight parameters during the final approach and the subsequent mechanical failure. Investigators examined the aircraft's condition and the pilot's actions following the initial touchdown. The investigation established that the aircraft suffered damage to the front fuselage, the engine, the nose landing gear, and both wings.