Accident Sequence
The solo student pilot reported that during his ninth landing of the day, the nose gear collapsed. The left wing then dipped down and struck the runway. Subsequently, the airplane exited the runway to the right.
Physical Evidence
An FAA Inspector who responded to the accident reported that the distance from the first point of impact to the final stopping point was approximately 320 ft. There were indications that the right aileron and wing tip contacted the runway first. A sheared nose gear hub pin/bolt was found 35 ft from the initial point of impact. Multiple impact points were observed along the debris path. The second point of impact was the left-wing tip, indicated by blue and white paint markings from the wing tip on the runway. The third impact was the airplane's nose wheel assembly. Tire markings on the runway extended for about 20 ft and indicated an extreme side load on the tire. The wheel/tire hub assembly was found at the end of the tire mark along with one of the nose strut forks. Additionally, seven gouges were present in the runway surface from the propeller striking the ground.
Aircraft Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the firewall.
Pilot Report
The student pilot reported there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Weather Conditions
The weather observation station at the accident airport, around the time of the accident, reported wind at 220 degrees true at 14 knots, gusting to 20 knots. The student pilot landed on runway 28L.