Incident Overview
During the landing approach, the pilot experienced a sudden loss of wind on short final, causing the airplane to descend abruptly. The subsequent landing was hard, and the aircraft bounced multiple times before coming to a stop. The pilot then taxied back to the parking ramp without reporting any further issues.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have prevented normal operation.
Subsequent Discovery
The owner of the airplane rental company reported that the pilot did not notify anyone of the hard, bounced landing. During a later flight, the owner noticed a vibration and landed to inspect the airplane. A postflight examination revealed damage to the propeller and substantial damage to the fuselage.