The pilot reported that, while landing in gusting winds, the airplane porpoised on touchdown. The pilot chose to go-around and "shoot the approach again." During the second landing, the airplane porpoised on touchdown. The pilot regained control of the airplane and taxied to the ramp without further incident.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about 26 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 360° at 5 knots. The pilot reported that the wind was from 020° at 8 knots, gusting to 14 knots. The airplane was landing on runway 5.