Incident Overview
During a training flight, the certified flight instructor (CFI) initiated a simulated engine failure while the aircraft was on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern. The subsequent approach and landing resulted in a hard touchdown, leading to structural damage to the left side of the aircraft.
Pilot Statements
Both the CFI and the commercial student pilot reported that just before touchdown, the airplane's rate of descent increased rapidly. Although engine power was applied, it did not arrest the rate of descent before the airplane landed hard. Both pilots stated that at the time of touchdown, the airplane was in an approximate 5-degree left bank.
Sequence of Events
The airplane's left wing contacted the ground first, followed by the left main landing gear. The impact caused the left main landing gear to separate from the aircraft. Subsequently, the left wing struck the ground.
Damage
The left main landing gear separated from the airplane. The left wing also sustained ground contact damage as a result of the hard landing and subsequent impact.