Accident Details
On 24 May 2006 at 1040 UTC, a Reims Cessna F152 (registration G-OSFC) crashed approximately 200 m short of Runway 22 at Stapleford Aerodrome, Essex. The aircraft, manufactured in 1981, was powered by a single Lycoming O-235-L2C piston engine. The flight was a training sortie with two crew members and no passengers. Neither occupant was injured.
Damage
The aircraft sustained substantial damage: the nose, engine, propeller, and wingtips were damaged; the fuselage fractured aft of the rear cabin bulkhead. The aircraft was judged beyond economical repair.
History of the Flight
The aircraft was returning from a navigation training flight. The radio operator informed the crew that the wind was from 270° at 15 kt, and the instructor initially asked the student to fly an approach to Runway 28. However, the wind then backed to 240° at 20 kt, and the instructor decided to change the approach to Runway 22. On the final approach, the instructor instructed the student to fly at 70 kt (instead of the usual 65 kt) and the final stage of flap was selected. The instructor reported that the student flew a ‘very good’ approach, with airspeed fluctuating between 60 and 80 kt in the gusty conditions.
About 300 m short of the runway and at 100 ft above ground level, the aircraft suddenly rolled and yawed to the right, and pitched down. The instructor took control, applied full power, and attempted to recover to normal flight. The aircraft impacted the ground nose first, destroying the nose landing gear and the underside of the nose. It slid along the ground for approximately 25 m before coming to rest upright, with the fuselage broken just aft of the rear cabin bulkhead. There was no fire, and both occupants exited through the aircraft doors.
Pilot Experience
The commander, aged 37, held a Commercial Pilot’s Licence with a total flying experience of 1,025 hours, of which 524 were on type. In the last 90 days he had flown 123 hours, and in the last 28 days, 30 hours.
Weather Conditions
An aftercast from the Met Office stated: “It is clear from both actual reports and radar imagery that a great deal of showery/CB activity lay over south‑east and central England at the time of the accident.”
Instructor’s Observations
The instructor commented that the lap and diagonal harnesses had saved both occupants from serious injury. He reported that he believed the accident happened after: “windshear or a down-draft caused by the flow of air over the nearby hangars and trees caused the right wing to stall, and the aircraft to enter a spin to the right.”