Aircraft and Flight Details
The aircraft involved was a Reims Cessna F152, registration G-IBRO, manufactured in 1985. It was powered by a single Lycoming O-235-N2C piston engine. The flight was a private training sortie, returning from a VFR navigation exercise. The sole occupant was a 66-year-old student pilot with a total flying experience of 72 hours, all on type. His recent flying included 27 hours in the last 90 days and 7 hours in the last 28 days.
Accident Narrative
On 14 July 1998 at 1300 UTC, the pilot positioned for a landing on Runway 28 at Leicester Airport. The surface wind was reported as 280° at 20 knots, gusting. During the first landing attempt, the aircraft bounced on touchdown following a sudden loss of lift during the flare. The pilot executed a go-around. On the second landing approach, the pilot encountered the same loss of lift during the flare. This time, the nose landing gear collapsed, and the propeller contacted the ground. The aircraft came to a stop on the runway without further incident.
Damage
The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the nose landing gear and propeller.
Injuries
No injuries were reported to the crew; there were no passengers.
Probable Cause
In the pilot's report, he attributed the accident to the gusting wind conditions and his lack of experience.