Single pilot reported a hard landing which resulted in damage to the landing gear.

Date: 2023-10 · Aircraft: Light Sport Aircraft · Phase: landing

Anomalies: aircraft-equipment-problem-critical|flight-deck-cabin-aircraft-event-other-unknown|ground-event-encounter-loss-of-aircraft-control|inflight-event-encounter-unstabilized-approach

Synopsis

Single pilot reported a hard landing which resulted in damage to the landing gear.

Narrative

During pattern work in a REMOS Light Sport Aircraft; an item blew out of the cabin on downwind. Since the aircraft was being operated with the doors off; the possibility of a jettison of an item was heightened. As I started my flare around 15 ft. above the landing surface; my passenger reached behind me to retrieve or secure an object in the cargo tray behind my head. In doing so; he knocked my headset off my head; interfering with my ability to properly see to land the aircraft. This resulted with an extremely hard; flat; bounced landing. During the go around; I asked Tower if they saw any debris on the runway surface. Once the runway was concurred to be in safe condition for landing; I again attempted to put the aircraft on the ground. This resulted in an extremely cautious approach to landing. I was able to taxi the aircraft off the runway and clear of any movement areas under its own power; without completely collapsing the landing gear assemblies of the aircraft. Upon initial inspection immediately after the event occurred; the aircraft was deemed unairworthy; and we parked it nearby where we exited the runway.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.