Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's premature flare that resulted in a hard landing, fracturing the left main landing gear strut that subsequently collapsed. A contributing factor was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the pilot.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The instructor was giving the private pilot an airplane checkout. He said the pilot "flared high and touched down hard." The instructor took control of the airplane, made a go-around, and landed. On touchdown, the airplane "tended to veer left" and it appeared the left main landing gear was "slightly distorted." They flew back to the airport where the flight originated. The instructor made the landing and applied right brake as necessary to maintain runway centerline. There was a loud bang and the left main landing gear failed. The airplane swerved off the runway. Post-accident inspection revealed the left landing gear strut was fractured and bent aft. The composite fuselage was buckled, and the landing gear box was torn open.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 24, 2007, approximately 1400 eastern daylight time, an Iniziative Industriali Italian Sky Arrow 600 Sport, N435SA, piloted by a private pilot under the supervision of a commercial certificated flight instructor, was substantially damaged when the pilot made a hard landing at Cambridge Airport (CGE), Cambridge, Maryland. The flight instructor assumed control of the airplane and flew back to Bat Bridge Airport (W29), Stevensville, Maryland. Upon landing, the airplane veered off the runway. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident. The instructional flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The private pilot and flight instructor were not injured. The flight originated at W29 approximately 1330. This accident was not reported to NTSB until November 5, 2007, because FAA had not assessed aircraft damage. The instructor was giving the private pilot an airplane checkout. In his accident report, the instructor said the pilot "flared high and touched down hard" at CGE. The instructor took control of the airplane, made a go-around, and landed. On touchdown, the airplane "tended to veer left" and it appeared the left main landing gear was "slightly distorted." They flew back to W29. The instructor made the landing and applied right brake as necessary to maintain runway centerline. There was a loud bang and the left main landing gear failed. The airplane swerved off the runway. Post-accident inspection revealed the left landing gear strut was fractured and bent aft. The composite fuselage was buckled, and the landing gear box was torn open.