N407MDTextron Aviation 172S · 2021

The solo student pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings in the airport traffic pattern after performing maneuvers in the local area. After two successful stop-and-go landings, the pilot approached the runway for a third landing, during which the airplane touched down hard, so the pilot aborted the landing. During the final landing approach, the airplane touched down hard again and bounced, after which the pilot lost control of the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and rudder during the accident sequence. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The flight instructor reported that while on a downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern, abeam the runway numbers, he simulated an engine failure for the student pilot. The student pilot performed checklist items, but the airplane was getting too low and far from the runway. The flight instructor then told him to turn directly toward the runway, which he did. The student pilot stated that he wanted to go-around, but the flight instructor said to keep going. By the time the flight instructor realized the airplane was not going to reach the runway threshold, he increased power, but the tail struck a runway light. The airplane subsequently landed uneventfully. The flight instructor stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Postaccident examination of the airplane confirmed that the empennage had been substantially damaged.