Aircraft and Pilot Information
The accident involved a Cessna 152, registration G-BOGG, powered by a single Lycoming O-235-L2E piston engine. The aircraft was manufactured in 1979. The pilot, aged 48, held a Private Pilot's Licence and had accumulated 51 flying hours, with 16 hours on type. In the preceding 90 days, he had flown 11 hours, including 4 hours in the last 28 days.
Accident Details
On 16 August 1998 at 1705 UTC, the pilot was landing on Runway 26 at Compton Abbas, Wiltshire. The wind was light and visibility was good. The approach was normal. However, as the pilot commenced the flare, he was blinded by the sun. He attempted to execute a go-around, but before completing the procedure, the aircraft dropped. The nose landing gear collapsed. The aircraft then rolled to the left and then to the right, damaging both wingtips in the process, before coming to rest. The pilot was uninjured. Damage was substantial to the nose landing gear, propeller, and wingtips.
Pilot's Comments
The pilot considered that the cause of the accident was his lack of experience in landing into a strong sun and the fact that he was not wearing sunglasses, which was his normal practice.