What happened
On 6 July 2002, a Reims Cessna F150M, registration G-BDSL, was conducting a solo circuit training flight at Netherthorpe Airfield. The pilot, a student with 28 hours of flight experience, had previously completed a successful dual check flight with an instructor earlier that day.
During the solo operation, the aircraft experienced a heavy landing characterized by several bounces. Following this initial touchdown, the pilot initiated a go-around. An instructor observing the flight from the ground noted that the nosewheel had partially collapsed during the heavy landing sequence. The instructor subsequently informed the control tower to relay advice to the student regarding landing techniques for the next attempt.
Following the instructor's guidance, the student performed a second landing, attempting to keep the nosewheel elevated for as long as possible. During this procedure, the pilot also set the mixture to lean and the magnetos to OFF after the mainwheels made contact with the runway. However, once the nosewheel eventually made contact with the ground, the aircraft slewed to the right, rotating 180 degrees before coming to a stop. The pilot, who was secured by a lap and shoulder harness, exited the aircraft without injury.
The investigation
The investigation examined the sequence of the two landings and the mechanical state of the aircraft. It was established that the initial landing was heavy enough to cause a partial collapse of the nosewheel. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's adherence to the instructor's instructions regarding the second landing attempt and the subsequent ground excursion.