Incident Overview
A flight instructor and a pilot were conducting a simulated forced landing exercise. The aircraft spiraled downward, with the landing gear and flaps extended. During the turn to final approach, the airplane overshot the runway centerline. The pilot did not maintain a stabilized airspeed on the final approach segment.
Landing and Damage
The airplane touched down hard on the runway, resulting in substantial damage. No mechanical malfunctions were reported by either the flight instructor or the pilot.
Instructor's Account
The flight instructor reported that he attempted to correct the approach but noted that "the aircraft was too slow to respond due to the loss of airspeed caused by the final flare." The instructor also offered a safety recommendation, stating that he "should have aborted the landing at the first indication of an error by the pilot."
No Mechanical Issues
Both individuals confirmed that no mechanical issues with the airplane were present before or during the event. The hard landing was attributed solely to the flight path and airspeed management.