Accident Summary
A weight-shift-control aircraft sustained substantial damage to both wings after a hard landing on a dried lake bed. The student pilot and flight instructor were practicing touch-and-go landings at the time of the accident.
Pilot Reports
The student pilot reported that the flight instructor was controlling the throttle inputs while she controlled the wing. Just before the accident, she observed three dust devils to the east. During a final pass near the north end of the lake bed, they encountered strong localized turbulence, causing the aircraft to impact the ground and roll to the left.
The flight instructor reported that during the turbulence encounter, approximately 4 to 6 feet above the ground, the wing stalled, resulting in a hard nose wheel landing. The instructor stated that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
Damage
The weight-shift-control aircraft sustained substantial damage to both wings.
Meteorological Information
The flight instructor reported light and variable winds, with a temperature of 70°F at the accident location. Recorded data from an automated weather observation station approximately 6 miles northeast of the accident site indicated calm winds and a temperature of 64°F around the time of the accident.