Hard Landing During Simulated Engine-Out Practice Damages Airplane

Accident Details

A certificated flight instructor (CFI) and a student pilot were conducting takeoff and landing practice on a 4,300-foot-long runway. After performing a stop-and-go, the CFI reduced the engine to idle to simulate an engine failure for the student. The airplane then descended rapidly from approximately 200 feet above ground level. The CFI initiated a flare, but the aircraft contacted the runway with excessive force.

Instructor's Account

The CFI stated that the wind was 10 degrees from the runway heading with gusts reaching 33 knots at the time of the accident. He attributed the hard landing to flaring too high following the rapid descent. No mechanical malfunctions were reported before or during the event.

Aircraft Damage

The hard landing resulted in substantial damage to the airplane's firewall. No other damage details were provided in the source.