Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The operator reported that the student pilot was conducting a series of touch-and-go landings in the airport traffic pattern. During the first landing, the airplane landed hard and bounced. The student pilot aborted the landing, performed a second touch-and-go landing, and noticed that it did not feel right. The student pilot landed a third time uneventfully. An inspection of the airplane by the operator revealed an approximate 22-inch tear in the composite fuselage structure extending forward from the landing gear attach point. The operator reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The operator reported that the student pilot was conducting a series of touch and go landings in the airport traffic pattern. During the first landing, the airplane landed hard and bounced. The student pilot aborted the landing, performed a second touch and go landing, and noticed that it did not feel right. The student pilot landed a third time uneventfully. An inspection of the airplane by the operator revealed an approximate 22-inch tear in the composite fuselage structure extending forward from the landing gear attach point. The operator reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.