On August 02, 2005, about 1010 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172R, N864CP, registered to McMinn County Aviation, Inc., operated by Phoenix East Aviation, was landed hard at Daytona Beach International Airport, Daytona Beach, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, from Melbourne International Airport, Melbourne, Florida, to Daytona Beach International Airport. The airplane was substantially damaged and the student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated about 0925, from Melbourne International Airport. The student pilot stated that the cross-country flight was unremarkable until the landing. When she knew the runway was made, she reduced power but the airplane touched down and bounced "severely" two times, and not so severe a third time. After the third bounce, the airplane remained on the runway but she realized there was a discrepancy with the nose landing gear. She taxied the airplane off the runway and asked for assistance.