What happened
The aircraft experienced a significant hard landing during the approach phase. Upon initial contact with the runway, the airplane bounced back into the air and began to porpoise, oscillating vertically as it attempted to settle. During the second touchdown, the aircraft struck the ground in a nose-down attitude, which resulted in structural damage to the firewall.
Despite the impact, the pilot retained control of the aircraft and was able to bring it to a stop on the runway surface. Post-incident, the pilot reported that there were no pre-impact malfunctions or mechanical failures prior to the event. A ground witness also noted the presence of a dust devil approximately 200 feet from the airport at the time of the incident.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the physical condition of the aircraft following the hard landing and the pilot's account of the events leading up to the impact. Examination revealed that the firewall had been buckled due to the nose-down attitude during the second touchdown. No evidence of pre-impact mechanical failure was found.
Findings
The primary factors contributing to the incident were the hard landing and subsequent porpoising, which led to structural damage. The presence of a dust devil near the airport may have contributed to turbulent air conditions affecting the approach.