This November 2007 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Diamond DA-20. Location: Mesa, Ariz. Injuries: None. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The student pilot was practicing short-field landings. While on short final in a crab to compensate for the crosswind conditions, he realized that the airplane was below the glide path of the runway and began to flare in an effort to reduce the rapid rate of descent. The airplane landed hard on the left main landing gear and began an abrupt veer to the left of runway centerline. The left wing sustained substantial damage.
Probable cause: The student pilot’s failure to maintain the proper glide path and misjudged flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
For more information: NTSB.gov
