What happened
On 26 August 2010, a Cessna 152, registration G-BSZI, was performing a solo cross-country training exercise when it approached Runway 08 at City of Derry Airport, Northern Ireland. During the final approach, the student pilot reported performing a flare that was too high. This resulted in the aircraft touching down and subsequently bouncing back into the air.
Upon the second touchdown, the nose landing gear partially collapsed. This caused the aircraft to veer toward the right side of the runway, eventually running off the paved surface and onto the grass. The pilot sustained only minor cuts and bruises, and no other persons were on board. The aircraft sustained damage to the engine, propeller, and the nose landing gear leg.
The investigation
The investigation examined physical evidence at the scene, including debris on the paved runway surface and tracks in the grass. The presence of these indicators suggested that the nose gear collapse occurred during the second impact with the runway. The student pilot's instructor was not present at the airfield at the time of the incident and did not witness the event.