Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The student pilot’s improper landing flare and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in a hard landing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The flight instructor reported that, while the airplane was in the landing flare for a touch and go landing, the student pilot allowed the airspeed to become too low and he instructed the student to perform a go around. The student applied full power and retracted the flaps, but the airplane continued to descend, so the instructor "got on the controls with him".
During the go-around the airplane touched down on the runway hard, bounced, and the instructor reported hearing a "ping" and observed that the right main landing gear was no longer attached. The instructor continued the go-around and entered the traffic pattern and during the approach observed the right main landing gear laying on the right side of the runway. He landed and the airplane veered to the right off of the runway.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.
The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 36 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 250° at 9 knots. The airplane landed on runway 34.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA18CA228