What happened
On 5 July 2001, a Cessna F152, registration G-BGAD, was performing a solo training flight at Newtownards Airport, Northern Ireland. The student pilot, who had recently resumed flight training after a long hiatus, was instructed by the flight instructor to complete one visual circuit.
During the approach to Runway 04, the pilot encountered turbulence, noting that the wind was 020°/8 kt. While attempting to maintain control, the aircraft's pitch attitude increased, causing the pilot to lose visual contact with the runway. The aircraft subsequently entered a nose-down attitude and a right wing drop. The aircraft struck the runway surface approximately 72 metres from the threshold and 5.7 metres to the right of the centreline. The impact caused the nose landing gear to collapse. The pilot, who was wearing appropriate safety restraints, escaped the wreckage without assistance before medical personnel arrived. The pilot sustained serious injuries, specifically a cracked vertebra.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft and the runway surface following the accident. Evidence at the scene included a one-inch deep gouge in the asphalt, likely caused by the nose landing gear, and three propeller strikes at the initial point of impact. Scuff marks continued along the runway for 55 metres until the aircraft came to a rest.
Eye witnesses provided accounts of the final moments of the flight, noting that while the approach initially appeared normal, the aircraft began to roll and pitch erratically. They observed the aircraft pitch nose-up and rise roughly 30 to 40 feet before descending in a nose-down attitude into the runway.
Findings
- The aircraft sustained damage beyond economic repair.
- The accident was characterized by erratic pitch and roll during the final stage of the approach.
- The pilot was experiencing a period of infrequent flying, having logged only 16 hours on the type in the preceding 90 days.