Incident Overview
A pilot reported that difficulty activating the pilot controlled lighting at the airport resulted in entering the base leg of the traffic pattern higher and closer to the runway than normal. This led to a high and fast final approach, with the airplane landing at the midfield point.
Landing and Damage
The pilot landed the airplane hard on the nose wheel, causing the aircraft to porpoise at least twice while attempting to complete the landing. A post-flight inspection revealed damage to the airplane's firewall.
Pilot Account
According to the pilot, the sequence of events began with trouble activating the pilot controlled lighting, which influenced the approach path. The subsequent high and fast condition necessitated a landing well beyond the normal touchdown zone. The hard nose-wheel contact and porpoising resulted in structural damage to the firewall.
Inspection Findings
The damage was identified during a routine post-flight inspection. No further details about the extent of the damage or necessary repairs were provided.