Student Pilot Hard Landing Results in Firewall Damage

Incident Overview and Pilot Report A student pilot reported that the aircraft experienced a hard landing during the flare phase of the approach. Following the initial hard touchdown, the pilot stated that he executed a go-around. After completing the go-around, the pilot reported that he landed again without further incident or additional issues during the second approach and landing sequence. The pilot's account indicates that the hard landing occurred specifically during the flare maneuver, which is the final phase of the landing where the aircraft's descent rate is reduced just before touchdown.