Incident Details
The airplane sustained substantial damage during a hard landing. The pilot reported performing a go-around on the first landing because she was too high. During the second approach, she used 20 degrees of flaps. The airplane bounced once, prompting another go-around. On the third approach, she used 10 degrees of flaps; the airplane bounced and then landed.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that on the first approach, she was too high and executed a go-around. For the second approach, she configured the airplane with 20 degrees of flaps. The airplane bounced, leading her to go around again. On the third approach, she reduced flaps to 10 degrees. The airplane bounced and subsequently remained on the runway, after which she taxied back to the hangar.
Witness Observations
Witnesses reported seeing the airplane "porpoise" down the runway during the first attempted landing, followed by a go-around. On the second attempt, the airplane was fast on final approach and landed flat. It bounced back into the air and porpoised down the runway. The airplane hit hard on the nose with a "crunch," then performed a go-around. Witnesses noted that the airplane did not climb more than 300-400 feet in the traffic pattern before attempting the third landing. A witness reported that on the third approach, the pilot landed fast and the airplane "porpoised slightly with the tires bouncing between the mains and nose, but very mild in comparison." The pilot kept the airplane on the runway and taxied back to the hangar.