Runway excursion involving a Grob G-115, VH-TGN, Parafield, South Australia, on 14 June 1995

The instructor completed ten dual instructional circuits with the student pilot whom he assessed as competent for a first solo flight.

The instructor vacated the aircraft and observed the solo circuit from the ground. The take-off, circuit and final approach appeared normal until the flare, which appeared low, and the aircraft touched down earlier than expected. The pilot instinctively raised the nose causing the aircraft to balloon to about 1.5m above the runway.

The nose was then lowered and the aircraft touched down heavily on the nose wheel, bending the nose leg and allowing the propeller tips to strike the runway and destroy the nose wheel fairing. The aircraft settled back on its three wheels then veered left vacating the runway. The pilot shut the engine down and the aircraft stopped with no further damage or injury.