Substantial Damage During Private Pilot Practical Examination

Incident Details

A private pilot practical examination was conducted with the pilot candidate seated in the left front seat at the controls. A designated pilot examiner candidate was seated in the right front seat, and a designated pilot examiner was seated in the left, second row seat behind the pilot candidate. The examination proceeded with flight segments completed satisfactorily until the pilot candidate was asked to perform a crosswind landing.

Sequence of Events

According to the examiner candidate, the pilot candidate struggled during the first approach and initiated a go-around. On the second approach, approximately 15 feet above the runway, the pilot candidate pulled the throttle off. The pilot examiner seated in the back reported that the examiner candidate reached for the throttle as the airplane landed firmly. The examiner candidate then completed the landing and informed the pilot candidate that the examination was unsatisfactory. The airplane was subsequently taxied to the maintenance hangar.

Post-Flight Examination

An examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the firewall. The pilots reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the airplane prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation.