What happened
On 20 August 2007, a student pilot was conducting a circuit consolidation exercise at Wycombe Airfield in a Cessna 152, registration G-WACF. Having previously completed four solo circuits using Runway 24, the pilot was utilizing Runway 06 for this session. After completing three circuits with an instructor and four solo circuits without incident, the pilot began the fifth circuit.
During this final approach, the pilot found the aircraft was too high and fast despite a low power setting. To compensate for the altitude and speed, the pilot lowered the nose to descend. This maneuver was complicated by the pilot's lack of experience using Runway 06, as noise abatement procedures required a closer approach to the runway than the pilot was accustomed to.
The aircraft made a heavy touchdown in a nose-down attitude, causing the aircraft to bounce back into the air. Upon the second touchdown, the nose landing gear collapsed. This impact caused the propeller and the right wingtip to strike the runway surface.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the flight circumstances and the pilot's experience level, noting that the pilot had 27 total flying hours. The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's condition following the impact, which included a creased firewall, an engine shock-load, and damage to the propeller and right wingtip. No injuries were reported following the incident.