What happened
On 30 June 2010, a Cessna 152, registration G-BWNC, was involved in an accident during a private flight at Wellesbourne Mountford Aerodrome in Warwickshire. The aircraft was being operated by a 17-year-old student pilot who had just been authorised to perform their first solo flight following three successful circuits with an instructor.
During the flight, the wind conditions were light and variable. As the aircraft approached the runway, the pilot perceived that the aircraft was slightly too high. In an attempt to correct the descent, the pilot moved the control column forward. Upon landing, the aircraft bounced three times. On the final touchdown, the nose landing gear collapsed.
Following the impact, the pilot, who sustained no injuries, successfully secured the aircraft and notified the Flight Information Service Officer (FISO) of the incident via radio.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the student's flying school and subsequent enquiries by the AAIB. The examination focused on the sequence of the landing and the mechanical state of the aircraft following the collapse. The impact resulted in damage to the propeller, the engine mounting frame, the engine bulkhead, and the nose landing gear.