The airplane was substantially damaged during a landing at the Ohio State University Airport at about 2330 Eastern time. The CFI, Private pilot and passenger aboard were not injured; night visual conditions prevailed. According to the Private pilot, she had just started flying again three weeks earlier, with flight instructors, after a five-year layoff. Earlier, the Private pilot and the CFI encountered difficulties trimming the airplane in cruise; with the maximum right trim set, the CFI had to hold right rudder to maintain heading.
On downwind, the CFI took over the flight controls. The airplane landed on both main landing gear, but it appeared that the airplane was moving to the right. The airplane then hit something and bounced, but veered back to the left and stopped in the center of the runway.
Winds reported at 2253 were from 350 degrees at 12 knots.