Background
A student pilot, accompanied by a certified flight instructor, performed three takeoff and landings at the accident airport in preparation for the student's second solo flight. During these practice maneuvers, the wind was from the northwest at 8 to 11 knots with no gusts.
Incident Details
After approximately 0.7 hours of flight time, the certified flight instructor exited the airplane, and the student pilot taxied to runway 28L for takeoff. Around the time of departure, the wind began to gust to 17 knots. During the landing flare on runway 28L, the student pilot reported encountering a "downwash" that caused the airplane to "balloon and turn to the right." In response, the student pilot added "some power" and applied rudder, but the nose wheel subsequently contacted the runway, and the airplane veered off the runway.
Limitations
The certified flight instructor had placed a maximum wind limitation of 15 knots on the student pilot's initial solo endorsement. The incident occurred despite this limitation, as winds gusted above that threshold at the time of departure.