Primary finding
Probable cause
The flight instructor’s lack of remedial action to the student pilot’s inadequate landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and a loss of directional control.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to gain familiarity with the airplane under the supervision of a flight instructor. Following departure, they performed serval touch-and-go takeoffs and landings at a nearby airport before returning back to the departure airport. After configuring the airplane for landing and maintaining a stabilized approach, the student pilot prepared for the landing flare. As the airplane crossed over the runway threshold, the airplane suddenly descended and impacted the runway surface hard. The airplane became airborne and veered to the left of the runway centerline. The airplane continued off the runway and impacted a taxiway marker and the windsock pole resulting in it spinning 180° before coming to rest. As a result of the impact the airplane incurred substantial damage to the left wing. The student pilot reported no preimpact mechanical anomalies or malfunctions that could have precluded normal operation.