Flight Details
A flight instructor was conducting an end-of-course stage check for a private licensed student enrolled in a commercial pilot course. The flight was described as normal. Upon returning to the airport, the instructor requested a short field landing. The landing was performed with a nose-high attitude, and the instructor reported only a slight bump when the main wheels touched down. The student then performed two additional landings, completing the stage check.
Inspection Findings
Approximately four hours after the flight, the instructor took the same student for another lesson. During the preflight examination of the aircraft, which had not been flown in the interim, the instructor discovered a large crack in the left wing's surface immediately above the landing gear attachment point.
Statements
The flight instructor stated that the student did not make any hard landings during the first flight of the day. The student stated that she did not remember anything unusual about the flight.