Accident Overview
A certified flight instructor (CFI) and a private pilot (student) were conducting a renter's check-out flight to familiarize the student with the Cessna 172 aircraft. The flight included practice landings at an airport with an active air traffic control tower.
Flight Sequence
While practicing landings, tower personnel issued a windshear alert to the flight crew. During an approach to land, the aircraft encountered a high sink rate over the approach end of the runway, leading to a hard touchdown on the runway surface. Following the hard landing, the crew initiated a go-around. After the go-around, tower personnel visually inspected the aircraft's landing gear and confirmed it was safe for another landing. The crew then performed an uneventful landing.
Post-Flight Inspection
A subsequent inspection of the aircraft revealed structural damage. The damage included buckling of the firewall, which separates the engine compartment from the cockpit, and buckling of the nose gear support beams. No other damage items were reported. The aircraft was presumably removed from service for necessary repairs.