Accident Details
A solo student pilot was operating a weight-shift-control aircraft and performing full stop landings within the traffic pattern. According to the pilot's report, he remained in the pattern and executed multiple landings. During one specific landing, the pilot flared too late, meaning he did not raise the nose of the aircraft sufficiently in time to reduce the descent rate before touchdown. As a result, the aircraft struck the runway hard, causing a severe impact.
Damage Assessment
The hard landing inflicted substantial damage to the aircraft. The center-frame bar, a main structural component, was damaged. Additionally, the left wing tubes sustained damage. The extent of the damage indicates that the impact force was significant.
Pilot Report
The student pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the weight-shift-control aircraft that would have precluded normal operation. He stated that the hard landing was due to his own piloting error, specifically flaring too late. No other factors were mentioned by the pilot.