What happened
On 12 September 2007, a Cessna 152, registration G-BNKS, was engaged in circuit training at Sleap Airfield in Shropshire. The flight was being conducted by a student pilot with 24 hours of flying experience. The session began with an instructor on board, during which the student successfully completed two solo circuits using touch-and-go landing techniques. Following these initial circuits, the instructor determined the student was prepared to continue the training alone and monitored the subsequent flight from the ground.
During the third solo landing attempt on Runway 36, the student pilot initiated a late flare. This resulted in the aircraft touching down in a level attitude, which triggered a series of bounces on the asphalt surface. During this sequence of bounces, the propeller made contact with the runway. The pilot managed to bring the aircraft to a halt on the runway and subsequently shut down the engine. No injuries were reported following the incident.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the landing on the 775-metre-long runway. The investigation established that the wind conditions at the time were 10 knots from 350 degrees. The physical inspection of the aircraft revealed that the propeller struck the ground, which caused the engine to be shock-loaded.