LAX96LA109

The student pilot reported that when he turned onto final approach to land, the airplane was high. He took corrective action by lowering the nose to make a steeper approach. This resulted in increased airspeed. During touchdown, the airplane was left of the runway centerline. The student reported that right rudder was applied, and the airplane veered right; then left rudder was applied, but the airplane veered too far left and entered a grassy field. Subsequently, the nose gear sank into soft mud, and the airplane nosed over.

On February 9, 1996, at 1534 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 152, N6321M, operated by Wings Over California, nosed over upon landing on runway 31L at the Reid-Hillview of Santa Clara County Airport, San Jose, California. The airplane was substantially damaged and the student pilot was not injured during the solo instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from San Jose at 1510.

The operator verbally reported that at the time of the accident, the student pilot was practicing landings and lost directional control. The operator also reported that the student pilot had approximately 19 hours of total flying experience which included about 3 hours of solo flight time.

The student pilot reported that when he turned onto final approach he was "a little bit high," so he pitched down "to make a steeper approach." This action increased the airspeed to about 70 knots. During touchdown, the longitudinal axis of the airplane was oriented left of the runway's centerline. The student pilot further reported that "there was no time to correct" the situation. The right rudder was applied, and the airplane veered right. Then, the left rudder was applied and the airplane veered too far left and entered a grassy field. After rolling about 100 feet, the nose gear sunk into the soft mud, and the airplane nosed over. He report no mechanical problems.