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Most easily detected sign of a hard landing

Aviation Mechanic General (AMG) practice question 9 of 21 on Inspection Concepts and Techniques. ACS element AM.I.K.K5 · difficulty: standard. Want to answer it in a timed quiz? Use the Aviation Mechanic General (AMG) practice mode.

Question bank updated 2026-09-22

QUESTIONAfter a rough landing, a mechanic is asked to look for the most easily detected sign that an excessive load was imposed on the airframe. Which condition should the mechanic look for first?

  1. AWrinkled wing skin
  2. BDiagonal wrinkles in the top fuselage skin
  3. CLoose rivets around the wheel well
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. Wrinkled wing skin

  • A — correct The handbook states that wrinkled wing skin is the most easily detected sign of an excessive load having been imposed during a landing.
  • B — incorrect Diagonal fuselage wrinkles are described as evidence of an excessive bending moment during severe turbulence, not as the primary landing overload sign.
  • C — incorrect Loose rivets near the wheel well are an indication of excessive gust conditions with the landing gear lowered, not the most easily detected landing overload sign.

BACKGROUND

The structural stress induced by a landing depends on the gross weight at the time and on the severity of impact. A hard landing inspection covers hard landings at or below the maximum design landing weight, while an overweight landing inspection is required when the aircraft lands above that weight. Because vertical velocity at touchdown is hard to estimate, a special inspection is performed after a landing at a weight known to exceed the design landing weight or after a rough landing. Wrinkled wing skin is the most easily detected sign of an excessive landing load; fuel leakage along riveted seams is another easily detected sign, and other possible damage locations include spar webs, bulkheads, nacelle skin, firewall skin and stringers.

STUDY TIP

Tie each special inspection to its signature clue: wrinkled wing skin for hard landings, sheared rivet shanks and diagonal fuselage wrinkles for severe turbulence.

KEY POINTS

  • Wrinkled wing skin is the most easily detected sign of a hard or overweight landing.
  • Fuel leakage along riveted seams is another easily detected indication.
  • If damage is found, a more extensive inspection and alignment check may be needed.

SOURCES

  • FAA-H-8083-30B ch10 "Hard or Overweight Landing Inspection"
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SkyDrill is not affiliated with the FAA. This is an original practice item based on FAA-H-8083-30B Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook – General, 14 CFR part 43 and part 65. Regulations and handbooks are revised; confirm details against the current edition.