At about 1500 Pacific time, the airplane experienced a hard landing and sustained substantial damage during a post-crash fire. The solo student pilot was not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. After making six successful touch-and-go landings, the student noticed the winds were increasing. During the seventh approach, winds were variable and started to gust. While maintaining 55 knots over the approach end of the runway, the airplane suddenly drifted to the left. The student used ailerons and corrected to the centerline, but the airplane touched down hard and bounced. After the airplane came to rest, he saw smoke and fire, and evacuated the airplane.
