Aircraft and Flight Details
The aircraft involved was a Cessna 152, registration G-BNUS, powered by a single Lycoming O-235-L2C piston engine. It was manufactured in 1982. The flight was a private training flight under the command of a student pilot, aged 46, with a total flying experience of 55 hours, including 7 hours on type. In the last 90 days he had flown 13 hours, and in the last 28 days, 10 hours. The flight was solo with no passengers on board.
Accident Sequence
At 1805 hours on 4 June 1998, the pilot was conducting solo circuits at Stapleford Airfield. Runway 04L, a dry grass surface with a landing distance of 1,050 metres, was in use. Weather conditions were clear with visibility exceeding 10 km and a light easterly wind. The pilot had completed two successful landings and one go-around. During the fourth approach, the flare was normal until the aircraft landed heavily on the nosewheel. The pilot applied power to go around, but the nosewheel had already collapsed. The aircraft came to a halt in the middle of the runway in a nose-low attitude with the engine stopped.
Post-Accident Actions
The pilot selected the fuel and electrics off and vacated the aircraft uninjured and without assistance. Local airfield fire services were in attendance. Damage was sustained to the nosewheel, fuselage, engine, and propeller.