What happened
During a training session for a newly hired pilot, an accident occurred during the trainee's first flight and initial landing in the aircraft. The pilot reported that the approach was conducted at a speed near the maximum allowable limit and remained approximately 100 feet above the standard glidepath. As the aircraft touched down, all three landing gear components made contact with the runway simultaneously. Immediately following touchdown, the aircraft veered toward the right side of the runway and exited the paved surface.
The incident resulted in substantial damage to the right-wing structure. The flight instructor had selected an airport for this session that featured a complex approach, which typically necessitates a specific training curriculum before a pilot attempts a landing.
Findings
Investigation into the event suggests that the approach procedure involves a 40-degree left turn followed by a leveling of the wings just prior to the landing phase. It is believed that the descent rate during the landing exceeded the operational capabilities of the aircraft, leading to a hard landing and the subsequent structural failure of the right wing.