What happened
On 15 March 2007, an Ikarus C4-FB100, registration G-WSSX, was performing a solo training circuit at Old Sarum Airfield in Wiltshire. The student pilot had recently been cleared for their first solo flight following several successful dual circuits from Runway 24.
During the landing phase of the circuit, the pilot flared the aircraft too high. This maneuver caused the airspeed to decay, leading to a drop in the aircraft's nose. Consequently, the aircraft struck the ground heavily on its nose wheel. The impact resulted in the collapse of the nose landing gear and caused the propeller to strike the runway, leading to engine shock-loading and propeller damage.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report form provided by the pilot. The inquiry focused on the flight parameters during the final approach and the mechanics of the landing impact. The aircraft, a 2006 model powered by a single Rotax 912 ULS engine, sustained damage to the nose gear and propulsion system, though no injuries were reported.