What happened
On 19 August 2010, a Cessna 150M, registration G-NWFA, was conducting a solo navigation training flight. The student pilot was returning to Andrewsfield after completing his first solo navigation exercise. The weather conditions were reported as fine, and the approach to the airfield was initially normal.
During the landing phase, the aircraft experienced a sudden sink rate while the pilot was attempting to flare, resulting in a touchdown on the main wheels followed by a bounce into the air. Upon the second touchdown, the aircraft experienced a firm impact. During this second bounce, the nosewheel separated from the aircraft. The student pilot immediately initiated a go-around. During the maneuver, the student' and instructor, who was monitoring via radio, heard that the nosewheel had detached.
Following the incident, the student pilot was advised by his instructor to fly a circuit pattern at Andrewsfield while emergency services were notified. After consultation between the airfield manager, an engineer, and the instructor, the decision was made to return to North Weald rather than Andrewsfield, due to concerns that the nosewheel leg might dig into the grass runway at Andrewsfield and cause a turnover. The student pilot successfully landed the aircraft at North Weald using full flaps, maintaining a nose-high attitude to prevent further damage. No injuries were reported.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the structural failure of the nose landing gear. An engineering examination revealed that the nose landing gear fork had failed at its attachment point to the nose oleo. While the right side of the fork had separated from the nosewheel, the left side remained attached to the oleo, though it sustained significant abrasion during the landing.
There was no evidence of damage to the engine firewall or the nose landing gear supports. The only other damage noted was to the propeller blade tips. A metallurgical analysis of the fracture surfaces showed no evidence of pre-existing fatigue or damage, concluding that the failure was caused by the impact of the landing.