Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot misjudged the landing flare resulting in a hard landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that during a normal approach to landing he misjudged the height between the airplane and the runway during the flare and the airplane settled onto the runway hard. The airplane bounced and the pilot said he lowered the nose and the airplane entered a porpoise followed by the propeller contacting the runway. The firewall sustained substantial damage. The pilot said there were no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failures.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that during a normal approach to landing he misjudged the height between the airplane and the runway during the flare and the airplane settled onto the runway hard. The airplane bounced and the pilot said he lowered the nose and the airplane entered a porpoise followed by the propeller contacting the runway. The firewall sustained substantial damage. The pilot said there were no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failures.