What consequence does "ducking under" lead to during landing?

Ducking under during landing can lead to a high sink rate, which in turn can result in short and/or hard landings. Ducking under typically refers to a pilot's tendency to lower the aircraft's nose excessively during final approach or landing. This action can increase the descent rate because the aircraft may end up descending without adequate lift, especially if the pilot is not maintaining a proper attitude and airspeed.

A high sink rate means the aircraft is losing altitude too quickly, which can make it challenging to flare and touchdown smoothly. This often results in a hard landing, where the aircraft strikes the runway with significant force, or a short landing, where the aircraft does not come to a stop before reaching the end of the runway.

Understanding this consequence is critical for pilots, as managing the approach attitude and maintaining an appropriate flight path is essential for achieving safe and controlled landings.