On December 5, 1995, at 0900 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 172N, N739LD, operated by the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), made a hard landing at the Winslow Municipal Airport, Winslow, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the solo instructional flight, and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the student pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Prescott, Arizona, at 0730. The 44-hour student pilot experienced a loss of electrical power while on a solo cross-country flight to Gallup, New Mexico. The pilot elected to divert to Winslow. The student pilot was unable to lower the electrically operated flaps during the landing approach. A fast no-flap landing was made on runway 04. The airplane porpoised several times collapsing the nose gear and damaging the firewall. Examination of the airplane by an airframe and powerplant mechanic revealed a loose electrical connection in the airplane's electrical system. The plastic connector on the wiring harness from the voltage regulator to the alternator was found loose. The loose connection would have prevented the airplane's battery from charging.