Incident Overview
On 23 February 2009 at 1241 UTC, a Cessna 172R Skyhawk (registration G-OPFT) operated by a flying school was involved in a landing incident at Durham Tees Valley Airport. The aircraft was on a training flight, with a student pilot as the sole occupant.
Flight and Sequence of Events
The student pilot had just completed nine circuits and landings with an instructor. This was his first solo flight. After a normal circuit and approach to Runway 23, the aircraft drifted to the left during the landing flare. It bounced several times, and the left mainwheel fairing struck a runway edge light, damaging both the fairing and the light. The pilot regained control and completed the landing without further incident.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft, a Cessna 172R manufactured in 1998, was powered by a single Lycoming IO-360-L2A piston engine. The student pilot, aged 54, held a student licence and had a total flying experience of 14 hours, of which 4 hours were on the accident type. In the last 90 days, he had logged 2 hours, and in the last 28 days, also 2 hours.
Weather and Conditions
The reported surface wind at the time was 280 degrees at 7 knots.
Aftermath
According to the investigation report, a check flight with the Chief Flying Instructor was to be completed before the student pilot would be authorised for further solo flights. No injuries were reported. The incident was reported via an Aircraft Accident Report Form submitted by the pilot with comments from the instructor.
Damage
The left mainwheel fairing and one runway light were damaged.