Incident Overview
According to the pilot, the flight was cleared to land on runway 33 and was advised of approaching weather. During the approach, the airplane encountered heavy rain, moderate turbulence, strong crosswinds, and a "sudden downdraft and crosswind" that led to a "very hard" landing. The airplane became "unstable" and began to bounce down the runway. The pilot aborted the landing and returned to land on runway 15.
Second Landing and Damage
The airplane landed hard once again on runway 15 and again bounced several times down the runway. During a turn on the runway, the pilot noted a flat nose tire and requested assistance for a tow. A subsequent examination of the airplane revealed a propeller strike and substantial damage to the firewall, as well as wrinkling of the lower fuselage.
Weather Conditions
An aviation routine weather report for the airport, issued about the time of the incident, included winds from 150 degrees true at 7 knots, and thunderstorms in the vicinity. The director of operations where the airplane was based on the airport, and one of the line service personnel who towed the airplane after the incident, confirmed that there had been a passing thunderstorm at the time.
Pilot Remarks
The pilot was not sure which of the hard landings resulted in the damage to the airplane.