What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2003-07-14 involved a CESSNA A152, registration G-BOYB, at Northampton (Sywell) Aerodrome, GB.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The nose gear collapsed after a series of heavy bounces caused by a steep, nose-down approach and an improper flare technique during a solo training flight.

Nose gear collapse during solo training flight at Sywell

A student pilot experienced a series of heavy bounces during a solo approach in a Cessna A152 Aerobat, resulting in a nose gear collapse at Sywell Aerodrome.

What happened

On 14 July 2003, a Cessna A152 Aerobat, registration G-BOYB, was conducting a solo training flight at Sywell Aerodrome. While returning to the airfield, the student pilot attempted an approach to the grass runway 07. During the descent, the pilot noted that the approach angle was excessively steep and initiated the flare while still at a significant height above the runway surface.

In an attempt to maintain airspeed and prevent a stall, the pilot applied engine power and pushed the control yoke forward. This maneuver resulted in a sequence of heavy impacts. An instructor observing the flight noted that the aircraft first landed heavily on its main wheels and bounced roughly 2 to 3 feet into the air. On the subsequent touchdown, the aircraft struck the runway with the nose wheel first, followed by the main wheels, before bouncing again to a height of 6 to 7 feet. A third touchdown saw the nose wheel strike the ground first once more, propelling the aircraft upward to an altitude of approximately 10 feet.

Following these bounces, the aircraft descended in a steep, nose-down attitude. Upon the final impact, the nose gear collapsed, causing the aircraft to skid to a halt on its nose. The pilot sustained minor injuries, specifically grazing to the shoulder and one leg, but was able to exit the cockpit via the left door without assistance.

The investigation

The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report form provided by the pilot. Investigators examined the sequence of the flight, the aircraft's mechanical state, and the pilot's actions during the approach and landing phase. The inspection of the Cessna A152 Aerobat revealed a bent propeller and evidence that the engine had been shock loaded due to the severity of the impacts. The damage to the airframe included the collapse of the nose landing gear.

Findings

The primary cause of the accident was the steep nose-down attitude and subsequent nose-first impact during the landing sequence.
The pilot's attempt to correct a high-altitude flare with forward yoke pressure contributed to the unstable approach.
The aircraft underwent a series of increasingly violent bounces, each involving nose-first contact with the runway surface.