Incident Overview
On 5 November 2002 at approximately 1100 UTC, a Cessna 152 (registration G-BNKP) operated by an unnamed training organization was involved in an accident during solo circuit practice at Clacton Airfield, Essex. The aircraft, manufactured in 1978 and powered by a single Lycoming O-235-L2C piston engine, sustained damage to its nose landing gear, engine bearer, and firewall. The pilot, the sole occupant, was a 71-year-old student with 168 hours of flying experience, all on type. No injuries were reported.
Flight Details
The student had just completed a successful dual circuit training session with an instructor and was conducting solo circuits. Weather conditions were fine, with a reported surface wind from 180° at 7 knots. The grass Runway 18 was in use, with a declared Take Off Run Available of 596 metres and a width of 18 metres. A displaced landing threshold provided a Landing Distance Available of 502 metres. A public footpath crossed the runway approximately one-third of the way along its landing length.
Accident Sequence
During the student's second solo landing, after touchdown, the aircraft veered to the left side of the runway and subsequently travelled across the public footpath. The edge of the footpath was rutted, causing the aircraft to bounce back into the air. The damage to the nose landing gear, engine bearer, and firewall occurred during the subsequent touchdown.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The Cessna 152, G-BNKP, was a two-seat training aircraft. The student pilot held a valid licence appropriate for the flight and had accumulated all his flight hours on the Cessna 152. No passengers were on board.