Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's poor judgment in attempting to land under the existing high wind condition.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
Upon clearing the runway onto the mid-field taxiway and turning crosswind, the airplane nosed over and came to rest off the side of the taxiway. Just prior to landing the pilot was given the winds as 35 kts gusting to 43 kts.
Source record
Factual narrative
On May 17, 1993, at 1545 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 206 airplane, N734GW, registered to 40 Mile Air, Ltd. of Tok, Alaska, while taxiing from runway 04 after landing, nosed over and came to rest inverted off the mid-field taxiway at Deadhorse, Alaska. The positioning flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, last departed Lonely, Alaska, and the destination was Deadhorse. A visual flight rules flight plan was filed and the flight was operating on a Special VFR clearance. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for Class D airspace. The airplane was substantially damaged and the Pilot-in-Command, the sole occupant, was not injured. According to the Deadhorse Flight Service Station, they had just taken a special weather observation for N734GW and the recorded winds were from 100 degrees magnetic at 30 knots, with gusts to 46 knots. According to the Deadhorse Flight Service Station radio transmission transcripts, N734GW was given winds as "Zero Six Zero at three five gust four three", just prior to landing. According to the Pilot-in-Command, as soon as he turned onto the mid-field taxiway and was subjected to a crosswind, the airplane nosed over. Toxicological results were negative. The Pilot-in-Command reported no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the mishap. -