Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot's improper landing flare and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision, which resulted in a hard landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot completed two landings from the airport traffic pattern during the instructional flight with the flight instructor seated in the left pilot seat. The flight instructor stated the landings were not "smooth," but were within limits. During the third landing, the airplane landed hard. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and the bottom of the fuselage. The flight instructor stated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.