Incident Overview
A pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to demonstrate landing ability to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who observed from the ground. On the first landing, the airplane touched down hard, causing the right main landing gear tire to deflate. The airplane subsequently veered off the right side of the runway and came to rest near airport facility equipment.
Damage Assessment
The hard landing resulted in damage to the right wing spar and left wing skin, as well as a wrinkle in the fuselage skin above the right wing. The pilot stated that there was no preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction that contributed to the hard landing.
Pilot Statement
According to the pilot, the flight was intended solely to demonstrate landing proficiency to the FAA inspector on the ground. No other individuals were mentioned as being on board. The pilot further noted that the airplane had no mechanical issues prior to the event.