Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain control during taxi. A contributing factor was the gusty winds.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The private pilot was cleared by tower to take runway 17 for takeoff, " when a gust of wind picked up the left wing" and rotated the aircraft approximately 45 degrees to the right. The right wing made contact with the runway. The aircraft came to rest in an upright position with the nose on the runway. Substantial damage was confined to the firewall and damage to the right main landing gear, and propeller. The pilot and passenger were not injured. Weather reportedd at the departure airport 10 minutes after the accident indicated winds from 160 degrees at 21 knots with gusts to 30 knots.
Source record
Factual narrative
The private pilot was cleared by tower to take runway 17 for takeoff when a gust of wind picked up the left wing and rotated the aircraft approximately 45 degrees to the right. The right wing made contact with the runway and the propeller contacted the runway. The aircraft came to rest in an upright position with the nose on the runway. Substantial damage was confirmed to the firewall and damage to the right main landing gear, propeller and minor damage to the right wing tip. The pilot and passenger were not injured. Weather reportedd at the departure airport 10 minutes after the accident indicated winds from 160 degrees at 21 knots with gusts to 30 knots.