Incident Summary
A pilot experienced a hard landing during a nighttime arrival, resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft's firewall. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, reported that she misjudged her height above the runway during the touchdown flare.
Pilot Report
According to the pilot's account, the landing began with the main landing gear making contact with the runway. The aircraft then bounced back into the air before touching down again on the nose landing gear. The pilot described the event as "a hard landing, bouncing a couple of times." After the flight, a postflight inspection revealed substantial damage to the firewall.
Findings
The pilot stated that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The cause of the hard landing was attributed solely to the pilot's underestimation of the aircraft's height during the landing approach at night.