What happened
On 4 May 1998, a Cessna 152, registration G-IRAN, was conducting a private training check flight at Andrewsfield Aerodrome in Essex. The flight involved a pilot holding a Private Pilot's Licence and a flying instructor. During the approach to runway 27R, under light wind conditions of 310° at less than 5 knots, the aircraft experienced a bounce upon touchdown.
Following this bounce, the nose of the aircraft was permitted to drop toward the runway surface. The instructor was unable to take corrective action before the nosewheel made significant impact with the ground. This heavy contact caused the nose landing gear to collapse, forcing the aircraft to depart the runway to the right.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the sequence of the landing and the mechanical response of the landing gear. The crew, consisting of two people, were both wearing appropriate lap and diagonal upper torso restraints at the time of the incident. No injuries were reported following the event.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the nosewheel making heavy contact with the runway following an initial bounce.
- The nose landing gear failed due to the impact force of the downward movement.
- The instructor was unable to intervene effectively to prevent the nose from dropping after the bounce occurred.