Accident Overview
On 14 January 2014 at 1205 UTC, a Cessna 152 (registration G-BYMH) sustained damage during a landing at Stapleford Aerodrome, Essex. The aircraft was engaged in a solo training flight after the pilot had previously completed several touch-and-go landings with an instructor.
Sequence of Events
The student pilot, who held a solo endorsement, was practicing approaches. On the second solo approach, he flared the aircraft too high. The nose was raised excessively, causing the aircraft to stall several feet above the runway. The subsequent heavy landing resulted in buckling of the nose landing gear and its mounting structure. The propeller struck the ground, and damage was incurred to the propeller, engine mount, nose landing gear, and surrounding structure.
Pilot and Injuries
The sole occupant, a 66-year-old student pilot, was uninjured. He had accumulated 81 hours of flying experience, all on the Cessna 152, with 6 hours in the last 90 days and 4 hours in the last 28 days.
Pilot Comments
In his report, the pilot suggested that a lapse in concentration or a sudden loss of confidence might have contributed to the mishandling of the flare.
Aircraft Details
The Cessna 152 (serial number 152-84980, manufactured in 1981) was powered by a single Lycoming O-235-L2C piston engine.