The student pilot reported that, during landing, he flared too high. He added that the airplane sank and landed hard. The airplane bounced multiple times and the nose landing gear collapsed.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount.

The safety manager for the flight school reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 100° at 8 knots. The student pilot landed the airplane on runway 18.