NTSB Factual Report

The student pilot reported that the airplane ballooned during the flare and then dropped hard onto the runway resulting in a hard landing. The airplane bounced three times before the student pilot initiated a go-around. The airplane was landed uneventfully. The postaccident inspection of the airplane revealed that the firewall sustained substantial damage. The student pilot reported that the airplane did not have a mechanical or system failure.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.