On September 6, 1998, at 1045 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172L, N19770, made a hard landing on runway 16 at the Bakersfield, California, Municipal Airpark. The aircraft, operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the personal flight and no flight plan was filed. The flight had originated from Bakersfield airport at 1000 on the morning of the accident. The pilot stated that he was practicing takeoffs and landings. He stated that on the first attempted landing the aircraft was too high and he had to initiate a go-around. He reported that on the second landing attempt, he flared too high and the aircraft stalled 20 feet above ground level. The aircraft landed hard and porpoised down the runway striking the propeller before coming to a stop. No mechanical malfunctions were noted with the aircraft or engine by the pilot.