Primary finding
Probable cause
Failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane. A related factor was the wind gusts.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During taxiing after landing to the west on a private, up-sloping grass field, the pilot added some power to make a 180 degree left turn to park the airplane. As he started the turn with left rudder and left toe brake, a strong wind gust caught the airplane, and the airplane nosed over. He said the winds were from the east at 10 knots with wind gusts to 18 knots. He said there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane, and the accident could have been prevented, 'by cutting the engine after roll out and turning the aircraft around by hand.'
Source record
Factual narrative
On October 19, 1997, at 1130 eastern daylight time, an Aviat Inc. A-1, N9614B, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during taxiing after landing at a private airstrip in Duxbury, Massachusetts. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The local, personal flight originated at Cranland, Massachusetts, and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he successfully landed to the west, at a private, upsloping grass field. He said that after roll-out, he added some power to make a 180 degree left turn to park the airplane. As he started the turn with left rudder and left toe brake, a strong gust of wind caught the wing, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported the winds from the east at 10 knots with wind gusts to 18 knots. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane, and the accident could have been prevented, "by cutting the engine after roll out and turning the aircraft around by hand." -