What happened
On 24 May 1998, a Cessna 152, registration G-BMMM, was involved in a landing accident at Biggin Hill Airport, Kent. The flight was a private trip, with the pilot having rented the aircraft for a round trip to Southend.
Weather conditions at the time were favorable, with a north-easterly surface wind of approximately 10 knots. The initial flight to Southend and the subsequent return leg were completed without incident. During the approach to runway 29, the wind was recorded at 300 degrees at 10 knots.
As the aircraft approached the runway, the pilot noted that the mainwheels made contact with the surface before the nosewheel had been intentionally lowered. Upon touchdown, the pilot encountered immediate difficulties maintaining directional control. In an attempt to lift the nosewheel off the runway, the pilot applied back pressure on the control column, causing the aircraft to balloon into the air. Upon the second touchdown, the aircraft was misaligned with the runway centerline, leading to an excursion onto the grass. The impact caused the nosewheel to collapse and the propeller to strike the ground, bringing the aircraft to a rapid halt. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the flight sequence and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The investigation noted that the crosswind component during the landing phase was negligible and did not contribute to the loss of control. The pilot was unable to provide a specific reason for the initial loss of directional stability during the touchdown.