Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The purpose of the flight was for the pilot to conduct solo night training to include takeoff and landing practice. The flight school reported that during the landing, the airplane bounced 3 to 4 times on the runway before coming to a stop. As a result of the hard landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage. The flight school chief pilot stated that a greater emphasis should have been placed on training for night illusions and that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.