The pilot was conducting the second leg of his first solo cross-country exercise. He subsequently reported that during the takeoff the aircraft failed to become airborne when expected. Power was reduced in order to abandon the attempt, but the aircraft then momentarily became airborne. The pilot applied forward pressure to the control column to place the aircraft back onto the ground, but a heavy touchdown occurred. The nosegear collapsed and the aircraft slid for 183 metres before coming to a stop. After vacating the aircraft, the pilot realised that he had attempted to takeoff with a downwind component of about 10 to 15 knots. The pilot stated that he had not considered the wind direction prior to the takeoff attempt due to his feeling of elation after successfully completing the first leg of his first solo navex. The runway assumes a downslope past the intersection and the pilot misidentified the gable markers near the runway intersection as delineating the end of the strip. From the position at which the aircraft came to rest there were 917 metres remaining of the 1900 metre strip.
