Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for estimating a loading criterion relating to the load (C) experienced by a structural component (100, 102, 104) of an aircraft (10), and assistance with detecting a so-called “hard” landing. These methods involve measuring (50) parameters of said aircraft and calculating (54) at least one loading criterion for the loading of said structural component using at least one neural network (36) receiving said parameters as input. Assistance with detecting a hard landing then requires the determining (72, 76) of a time (t0, t-i) of impact (14, 16) of said aircraft on a landing strip (12) from said measured parameters, then estimating (74, 78) a plurality of said parameters at said determined time of impact so as to calculate (54) the at least one loading criterion relating to the loading of the structural component.