Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to the pilot, he initiated the landing flare late and the airplane landed hard and then bounced. Before he could initiate a go around, the airplane bounced again and impacted the ground hard, resulting in substantial damage to the lower forward fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.