History of the Flight
The student pilot had taken flying lessons over a period of approximately two years, attending two flying schools. She flew regularly with the instructor who subsequently sent her on her first solo flight. Prior to the solo flight, the instructor and student had flown a number of circuits, all to a safe standard. These circuits included three go-arounds and practice in recovery from a bounced landing. The instructor stated that she believed the student was fully prepared for a first solo and that she could not have done more to prepare the student.
The Accident
On 19 July 2006 at 1135 UTC, the student pilot was making her first solo flight in a Cessna 152, registration G-BTIK, at Andrewsfield, Essex. The flight was a training exercise, and the flying instructor observed the flight from the ground. The visibility was good, the wind was from the east at approximately 11 kt, and Runway 09 was in use.
The flight appeared to progress normally until the aircraft touched down in a nose-low attitude and bounced. Two further bounces followed before the nose landing gear broke off and the propeller struck the ground. The aircraft came to a halt on the runway, and the pilot vacated the aircraft without injury. There was no fire.
Aircraft Damage
The nosewheel collapsed, and the engine and propeller were damaged. The propeller struck the ground, causing additional damage to the firewall.