Flight Instructor and student reported the student made an unstable approach and lost control resulting in a hard landing and brake system damage.
Synopsis
Flight Instructor and student reported the student made an unstable approach and lost control resulting in a hard landing and brake system damage.
Narrative
I lined myself up with the centerline for a short field landing at ZZZ for Runway XX. As we were coming into to land; I said in my mind I needed to be at 900msl for crossing the 100ft obstacle. I slowed down to about 72-74 kts. As we were approaching the threshold on final; I second guessed myself and aimed for 860msl; thinking that I would be 50 feet above the obstacle. I realized as I got about 100ft from the threshold that I was too low and tried to pitch up to recapture altitude to 900msl. I didn't think to put in power so I could maintain altitude; as we were on the back end of the power curve. I only pitched up. As we climbed; we got too slow; because I traded airspeed for altitude. I heard the stall horn go off and immediately pitched down to recapture airspeed; but it didn't work. We dropped from 40-60ft hard on the runway. We bounced due to the force of the impact. My Flight Instructor took controls and tried to stop us after the bounce. He then noticed that the brakes weren't functioning. It was at this moment he let off the brakes and let us come to a stop gradually. No injuries to report. We then tried to taxi off the runway but then noticed that the left brake wasn't functioning; meaning we have a leak in the brake system or a disconnect. We were stuck on the active runway. My Flight Instructor attempted to get off using the right brake; to no avail. After this attempt we shut down the plane; and my Flight Instructor grabbed the tow bar and pulled the plane off the active runway as I made radio calls to ensure no one landed nor took off with us still on the runway. Before leaving ZZZ1 I made sure the tires were at main tires were at around 48psi and I believe the nose wheel was at 28psi. This is what prevented the tires from popping. We landed center the runway. After we were clear; we had help from ZZZ ground in getting us and the plane to the FBO. We tied her down and waited for Maintenance. It was not an accident but just broken brakes.
Second reporter narrative
SP (student pilot) was doing a short field landing to the thousand footers with a 50' obstacle. Approach was normal; SP stayed high and cleared simulated obstacle by 10-20ft. After clearing the obstacle SP reduced power first and then pushed the nose down. SP was slow in airspeed when pushing the nose down to recapture airspeed. With power still at idle SP pulled up nose prematurely in an attempt to arrest the descent.Plane stalled approximately 40ft above the runway; and landed extremely hard on the mains. IP (instructor pilot) immediately took controls and found the left brake pedal to have no pressure. IP kept plane under control until the plane came to a stop on the runway. IP made numerous calls on the CTAF frequency that the aircraft was stuck on the runway. IP attempted to call the ZZZ office with no answer. IP had SP continue to make calls while IP pulled the aircraft off and cleared the runway with the tow bar. IP was then able to make contact with airport personnel; the aircraft was towed to the ramp without further incident.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.