Piper PA-28R-200 N1434T accident near Clearwater, Florida

Probable cause

The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.

NTSB analysis

According to the flight instructor, at the conclusion of the checkout flight he and the pilot were returning to the airport for landing. The instructor described that the pilot’s approach was stable until he began the landing flare too high, at an estimated altitude of about 20 feet. The flight instructor told the pilot to execute a go-around and then attempted to take over the flight controls. He was unable to recover before the airplane landed hard, resulting in substantial damage to both wings. The flight instructor stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA22LA435 for the full record.