Accident
On 10 April 2009 at 0922 UTC, a Cessna 152 (registration G-GFIA) sustained damage during landing at Manchester (Barton) Airport. The aircraft was on a private local flight with one pilot and one passenger. After an uneventful flight, the aircraft touched down heavily on grass Runway 09L, resulting in a large bounce. The pilot was unable to take remedial action before the aircraft landed again. During the subsequent landing, the nose landing gear collapsed, and the aircraft came to a stop on its nose. Neither occupant was injured.
Damage
The nose landing gear, firewall, propeller, and left wingtip were damaged.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was a Cessna 152 manufactured in 1978, powered by one Lycoming O-235-L2C piston engine. The pilot, aged 71, held a Private Pilot’s Licence and had accumulated 303 total flying hours, of which 32 were on type. In the 90 days prior to the accident, the pilot had flown 2 hours, including 1 hour in the last 28 days.
Pilot's Assessment
The pilot assessed the cause of the accident as insufficient flare during the landing, which allowed the nosewheel to impact the runway before the main landing gear.