What happened
On 19 July 2006, a Cessna 152, registration G-BTIK, was performing a training flight at Andrewsfield, Essex. The aircraft was being operated by a student pilot who was conducting her first solo flight following a period of regular instruction. The flight instructor monitored the operation from the ground.
During the landing phase on Runway 09, the aircraft touched down in a nose-low attitude, resulting in a bounce. This was followed by two additional bounces. During this sequence, the nose landing gear failed and collapsed. As the gear broke away, the propeller made contact with the runway surface, leading to significant damage to the propeller, engine, and firewall. The pilot exited the aircraft without injury, and no fire occurred.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation was based on the accident report submitted by the pilot and subsequent enquiries. The investigation reviewed the flight history, noting that the student had been training for approximately two years and had completed several circuits to a safe standard prior to the solo attempt. The instructor confirmed that the student was prepared for solo flight and had successfully completed practice recoveries from bounced landings in previous sessions.