What happened
On 27 November 2003, a Cessna F172M Skyhawk, registration G-BKLO, was conducting a private local cross-country flight from Stapleford Aerodrome. During the return portion of the flight, the pilot joined the downwind leg for Runway 22L under good weather conditions with a light southwesterly wind. Due to the presence of other aircraft in the circuit, the pilot transitioned to a long final approach approximately 3 to 4 miles from the airfield.
As the aircraft approached, the pilot found that the position of the setting sun made it impossible to identify the airfield or ground landmarks, prompting a decision to perform a go-around. On the subsequent circuit, the pilot approached the runway at a distance of roughly 1 nm with the airfield in sight. However, during the flare and round-out phase, the glare from the sun blinded the pilot. This led to a heavy, bounced landing. The pilot continued to apply aft elevator input, causing the Cessna F172M Skyhawk to bounce multiple times before the pilot applied power for a second go-around.
During the climb following the second go-around, the pilot identified that the aircraft was suffering from limited elevator authority. The pilot managed to maintain a low-level circuit using full power and eventually completed a successful landing on the grass Runway 04L.
The investigation
The investigation examined the sequence of landing attempts and the subsequent loss of control effectiveness. The aircraft sustained damage including creases to the forward bulkhead, the lower fuselage skin, the forward frame, and the forward interior floor panel.