Incident Overview
A student pilot on his fifth solo flight encountered difficulties during landing on runway 31. According to the pilot's report, he struggled to maintain directional control of the nose during the landing roll. Upon touchdown, the airplane porpoised, causing the nose gear to collapse. The aircraft subsequently came to rest on the runway.
Pilot Endorsement and Wind Conditions
The student pilot's certificated flight instructor (CFI) had endorsed him to operate the airplane only in wind velocities up to 8 knots. However, meteorological data from the airport (METAR) indicated that at the time of the accident, the wind was from 310 degrees true at 15 knots, gusting to 22 knots. The METAR also showed that the wind velocity exceeded the pilot's endorsed limitation as early as 0747 Pacific daylight time (PDT) and remained elevated throughout the remainder of that day. The student pilot's solo flight began at 1259 PDT.
Aircraft Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall as a result of the nose gear collapse.
Mechanical Status
The pilot reported no mechanical failures or anomalies with the airplane before or during the flight that would have prevented normal operation.