Event Details
The pilot reported that during the landing flare, he was startled by an early impact and a bounce. The airplane touched down hard and bounced about three times in a "porpoise pattern." The pilot increased power to abort the landing and retracted the flaps but stated, "It was too late to recover." He then reduced engine power, and the airplane rolled to a stop on the runway.
Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage bulkhead.
Weather Conditions
The airport's METAR reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 210° at 5 knots. The airplane landed on runway 04L. The airport elevation was 618 feet, the temperature was 82°F, the barometric setting was 29.94 inches of mercury, and the estimated density altitude was 2,300 feet.
Mechanical Status
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.