On March 28, 2006, approximately 0925, Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172, N20488, experienced a hard landing at Aurora State Airport, Aurora, Oregon. The student pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft, which is operated by Willamette Aviation, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 solo instructional flight, which departed the same airport approximately 25 minutes prior to the accident, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. According to the student pilot, he was trying to land in a 12 knot crosswind when he failed to flare soon enough to ensure a normal touchdown. Therefore, the aircraft landed hard, bounced back into the air, and then came down on the nose gear and the right main landing gear. The force of the landing was sufficient to result in substantial damage to the aircraft's firewall.