GAA18CA326

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during short final at night, he reduced power to idle and the airplane descended rapidly and landed hard in a flat attitude. He added that, after touchdown the airplane bounced, and he applied full power to go around. He entered the traffic pattern and then landed without further incident. Postaccident examination three days later revealed that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that, during short final at night, he reduced power to idle, and the airplane descended rapidly and landed hard in a flat attitude. He added that, after touchdown, the airplane bounced, and he applied full power to go around. He entered the traffic pattern and then landed without further incident. Postaccident examination 3 days after the accident revealed that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Landing flare-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C