Accident Description
A pilot was conducting crosswind landing practice in a Cessna 140. According to the pilot, during the landing attempt, he flared the airplane "too soon." This resulted in a hard bounce on the runway. Following the bounce, the airplane began to bank to the left. The pilot applied aileron and rudder inputs to correct the bank, causing the airplane to track to the right.
As the airplane continued, the left main landing gear made contact with the runway surface and subsequently separated from the airframe. The propeller, fuselage belly, and left wingtip then contacted the runway surface. The airplane came to rest in that position.
Damage
The accident resulted in substantial damage to the firewall. Additionally, the left main landing gear, propeller, fuselage belly, and left wingtip all sustained damage from contact with the runway.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to or during the accident. The pilot's statement indicated that the premature flare was the initiating event.