Background
On 15 June 2022, a Cessna 172M Skyhawk, registration ZS-STV, operated under Part 141 training rules, departed Grand Central Aerodrome (FAGC) for a local training flight. The aircraft was piloted by a student pilot with a valid Student Pilot Licence, who had logged 39.7 total flying hours, including 35.5 hours on type. The pre-flight inspection revealed no abnormalities, and no outstanding defects were recorded in the aircraft's flight folio. Weather conditions were visual meteorological conditions (VMC) by day, with visibility 10 km, wind 210/10 knots, temperature 9°C, and no clouds.
Flight and Accident Sequence
The student pilot commenced the take-off roll on Runway 17 at approximately 0545Z with engine power set at 2600 RPM. After climbing to 7500 feet, he reduced power to 2400 RPM and proceeded to the FAGC/Brits general flying area, where he practiced steep turns and simulated precautionary landings. He then returned to FAGC for a full stop landing. Contacting air traffic control on frequency 122.8 MHz, he received clearance to join Runway 17. During the landing approach at 90 mph with flaps extended to 30°, the student pilot believed the main landing gear had touched down and released back pressure on the control column to lower the nose gear. However, the aircraft impacted the runway hard on the nose gear, followed by propeller strikes. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, including a bent nose gear oleo, displaced nose wheel assembly with exposed bearing cones, and bent propeller blade tips. The student pilot was not injured and shut down the engine before awaiting the ARFF team.
Aircraft Information
The Cessna 172M is a high-wing monoplane with fixed main landing gear and a steerable nose gear. It was equipped with a Lycoming O-320-E2D engine and a McCauley propeller. The aircraft had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness issued 8 April 2011 (expiring 30 April 2023) and was operated by an approved training organisation. The last 100-hour mandatory periodic inspection was performed on 15 June 2022 at 7466.2 airframe hours; the accident flight occurred at 7472.8 hours, adding 6.6 hours since inspection.
Post-Accident Examination
The aircraft was examined at an approved maintenance organisation. No evidence of flight control cable disconnection or restriction was found; the horizontal stabiliser and elevator trim tab were set to neutral. The pilot reported no instrument malfunctions. The nose gear oleo was bent forward and the wheel assembly displaced, with circlips detached and grease seal retainers and bearing cones exposed. The nose gear tyre was correctly inflated with defined treads.
Probable Cause
The investigation determined that the student pilot, believing the main landing gear had already settled on the runway, released back pressure on the control column intending to lower the nose gear. This resulted in the aircraft impacting the runway hard with the nose gear and subsequent propeller strikes.