What happened
On 27 July 2006, a Reims Cessna F152, registration G-BTFC, was performing a private flight at Bute Airfield. During the landing sequence on Runway 27, the pilot initially attempted an approach but decided to execute a go-around after realizing the aircraft was likely to land too far down the strip.
Upon a second approach, the aircraft made contact with the main wheels but bounced. During the subsequent ground roll, the nose gear leg collapsed and folded under the fuselage. The nose gear then struck the grass runway surface beneath the aircraft, causing damage to the propeller and the nose gear assembly. The aircraft slid along the runway before coming to a stop. The two occupants escaped without serious injury, though one passenger sustained a minor bruise to the knee.
The investigation
Investigators examined the airfield characteristics and the pilot's flight history. The grass strip at Bute Airfield is 480 metres long and features a variable gradient, starting with a downhill slope before rising and then sloping down again. The pilot had previously landed at this location eight times and had limited experience on this specific aircraft type. The investigation also considered the environmental factors, noting a light south-westerly breeze and good visibility at the time of the accident.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a bounce on its main wheels during the landing attempt.
- The nose gear leg folded under the fuselage during the ground roll.
- The pilot identified that the steep approach, the relatively short runway, and the lack of a significant headwind were contributing factors to the landing difficulty.
- The pilot noted that, in hindsight, a go-around should have been initiated immediately after the first bounce rather than attempting a second landing attempt.