Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 152; Flight Crew Total 923; Flight Crew Type 367
Training / Qualification; Workload; Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Deviation - Speed All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Ground Strike - Aircraft; Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control
Human Factors; Weather
This occurrence happened after maneuvers. We were practicing normal takeoffs and landings at ZZZ which had a crosswind component of 10 kt. After a first attempt and go-around; we decided to try again. On the second approach in; we proceeded to come in slow; 50 kt.; and I prompted my student to add in power. However; he was frozen and too fixated to notice the low airspeed. I should have promptly issued a go-around and should have taken the controls. However; I was not forceful enough and was not able to take the controls from my student to go around; resulting in a rough landing and a tail strike. We ended up going around and did not feel there was any difference in controls and continued back to ZZZ1.Later after pushing the plane back; we noticed the damaged tail piece and the bent tail strike protection. This could have all been avoided with just a simple go-around. At the slightest feeling of something not going right - for example; not being lined up or being too slow on final - a go-around will ultimately save a bad landing from happening. The student and the instructor should always be communicating and be aware of the situation that is happening. A positive exchange of controls should be practiced frequently so that the exchange can be flawless and can prevent situations where a student may be fixated or task saturated. The reaction to go around was not quick enough and resulted in the tail strike. Task saturation is a real thing; especially if a student pilot is being introduced to a new airport and also uncontrolled airport operations as well. To wrap things up; going around is your best option and positive exchange of controls should be practiced not only when braking; but also while in the air; even in critical phases of flight.
C172 Flight Instructor reported a tail strike during a landing maneuver on a training flight.