Event Overview
A student pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings in the airport traffic pattern. During the first landing, the airplane contacted the runway hard and bounced. The pilot aborted the landing and initiated a second touch-and-go, noticing that the aircraft felt abnormal. A third landing was performed uneventfully.
Aircraft Damage
Following the flights, an inspection by the operator revealed an approximately 22-inch tear in the composite fuselage structure. The tear extended forward from the landing gear attach point.
Operator Findings
The operator reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.