Flight Details
The flight instructor reported that the flight proceeded to the airstrip at Maricopa, Arizona, to allow a 16-hour primary student to practice takeoffs and landings. The aircraft was on a stabilized short final approach with full flaps and an indicated airspeed of approximately 60 knots.
Incident Description
As the aircraft crossed a row of trees oriented perpendicular to the runway, the indicated airspeed suddenly dropped to 40 knots. The aircraft entered a sink rate that could not be arrested before landing hard on the runway. The instructor stated that the winds were about 15 knots down the runway with gusts to 25 knots.
The source did not specify any injuries, damage, or the outcome of the hard landing. No other details were provided.