What happened
On 29 April 2006, a Cessna 152, registration G-BWEV, was conducting a training flight at Compton Abbas Airfield in Dorset. During the approach for landing, the student pilot experienced a lateral disturbance when the aircraft was blown off the runway centerline. While the pilot managed to recover the centerline, a failure to monitor the airspeed during this period resulted in a high-speed approach.
The aircraft subsequently landed with excessive speed and bounced. In an attempt to prevent a go-around, the pilot tried to force the aircraft back onto the runway surface by landing on the nosewheel. This maneuver caused the nose landing gear to collapse immediately, leading the propeller to strike the ground. The aircraft slid along the runway before coming to a stop, remaining upright throughout the incident.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the student pilot. The examination focused on the sequence of the landing attempt and the mechanical response of the gear. The investigation established that the aircraft sustained a collapsed nose landing gear, a damaged propeller, and a shock-loaded engine.