Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve. Factors relating to the accident were: the gusty wind and soft terrain beside the runway.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was making a personal use flight in VFR conditions. He reported that during the landing, the airplane encountered a strong gust of wind that put it into a skid, which he could not correct. The airplane then departed the runway and encountered soft dirt, where it nosed over.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 22, 1996, about 1450 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182P, N9017M, owned by the pilot's wife, was substantially damaged during the landing roll at Driggs, Idaho, while being piloted by the owner's husband, who is a certificated private pilot. The flight was a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot and the only passenger were not injured. The flight had departed Salt Lake City, Utah, about 1330 earlier that day. The pilot said he experienced a strong gust of wind just prior to or at touchdown. He stated that the airplane went into a skid that he was unable to correct. The airplane went off the runway and into the grass where it hit soft dirt and nosed over. -