Plain English Meaning
A landing where the airplane hits the runway harder than it should, often with a noticeable thump, because it was coming down too fast when the wheels touched.
Full Definition
A landing in which the airplane contacts the runway with a vertical descent rate high enough to exceed normal touchdown limits, producing a forceful impact that may stress or damage the landing gear, airframe, or related structure. Hard landings typically result from an excessive sink rate at touchdown, a late or insufficient flare, or loss of lift just above the runway.
Context Anchor
Encountered during landing practice, post-landing debriefs, and any time a touchdown feels unusually firm or possibly damaging.
Why Pilots Care
A hard landing can the landing gear and , requiring a before further and potentially causing hidden .