The solo student pilot reported that, during approach, as he crossed over a highway, the airplane encountered turbulence and increased lift. He reduced power to correct, and the airplane lost altitude quickly. The student added power to compensate, but the airplane landed hard before reaching the runway and the nose landing gear collapsed.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.

The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The automated weather observation station located about 7 miles to the south of the accident airport reported that, about 10 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 090° at 5 knots. The pilot was landing the airplane on runway 9.