The solo student pilot reported that, during the landing flare, he pulled back on the controls too sharply, the airplane ballooned, and landed hard. Unbeknownst to him, the propeller struck the runway and he went around the traffic pattern again. He landed and taxied the airplane back to the ramp without further incident.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and lower fuselage.

The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The student pilot did not submit the NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report.