Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot said that she was practicing short-field landings. On her third landing, she flared too early and landed hard. The airplane bounced and porpoised, which bent and wrinkled the lower half of the firewall.
Source record
Factual narrative
The student pilot said that she was practicing short-field landings. On her third landing, she flared too early and landed hard. The airplane bounced and porpoised, which bent and wrinkled the lower half of the firewall.