Accident Details
On 17 March 2005 at 0730Z, a Cessna 172H aircraft, registration ZS-EPY, was involved in a training flight at New Tempe Aerodrome. The flight was a glide approach for Runway 10 with full flaps at an approach indicated airspeed of 60 MPH. The instructor and a student pilot were on board. The aircraft departed from and intended to return to New Tempe Aerodrome.
Sequence of Events
According to the instructor, the student pilot flared the aircraft too early during the approach. This resulted in a hard landing, causing substantial damage to the fuselage and under-surface of the aircraft. Both occupants escaped with no injuries.
Aircraft Information
The last mandatory periodic inspection (MPI) was conducted on 22 February 2005 at a total of 4407.56 airframe hours. Since that inspection, the aircraft had accumulated 77 hours. The training organization held a valid Accreditation and Approval Certificate (number CAA/0038) expiring on 23 February 2006.
Pilot Information
The instructor held a valid commercial pilot license with 790 total flying hours, including 190 hours on type. The student pilot was 26 years old. The flight was conducted under training operations.
Probable Cause
The instructor failed to intervene timeously and allowed the student pilot to flare the aircraft too high above the runway which resulted in a hard landing.