Accident Overview
On 21 March 2012 at 1550 UTC, a Reims Cessna F152, registration G-BIUM, sustained substantial damage during a landing at Netherthorpe Airfield, South Yorkshire. The aircraft was being operated on a private flight with a single pilot and no passengers. The pilot was uninjured and vacated the aircraft unaided through the right window.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft, manufactured in 1980, was powered by one Lycoming O-235-L2C piston engine. The pilot held a Private Pilot's Licence and was 63 years old. His total flying experience was 346 hours, of which 284 were on type. In the last 90 days, he had flown 1 hour, and in the last 28 days, also 1 hour.
Sequence of Events
After one touch-and-go landing on grass Runway 24, the pilot positioned the aircraft for a second landing. He recalled that the approach appeared normal, but as he flared the aircraft to land, it suddenly lost height and touched down heavily on the runway. The aircraft bounced twice before tipping forward and coming to rest inverted.
Post-Accident Inspection
The pilot stated that he inspected the aircraft several days after the accident and noted that the cockpit flap selector switch and the flaps, which are electrically powered, were in the fully up position. He considered that when configuring the aircraft to land, he had inadvertently selected the flaps up.
Damage
The nosewheel collapsed, the engine was shock-loaded, and damage was sustained to the propeller, spinner, left wing, cockpit screen, and empennage.