On 23 Apr 2018, a Piper PA28R 200 operated by Camarillo Flight Instruction was involved in an aviation accident near Camarillo, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The flight instructor's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A flight instructor executing a touch-and-go landing made a harder-than-standard landing. The student pilot then completed two smooth landings. Postaccident inspection revealed substantial right wing damage, with no mechanical issues found.
Incident Summary
A flight instructor was demonstrating a touch-and-go landing to a pilot receiving instruction in a retractable landing gear-equipped airplane. During the demonstration, the instructor reduced engine power, causing the airplane to descend and land harder than standard. After the landing, the pilot receiving instruction assumed control of the airplane and subsequently performed two additional landings without any further incidents. The flight instructor later noted that the student pilot's landings were smoother than his own.
Postaccident Examination
Following the incident, the chief pilot conducted a postaccident examination of the airplane. The inspection revealed substantial damage to the right wing structure.
No Mechanical Issues
The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. No other contributing factors were cited.
Contributing factors
Landing flare — Not attained/maintainedInstructor/check pilot