Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to park with the aircraft headed into the wind in high wind conditions. A factor include the high wind condition.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated that after taxiing in to park at the US Customs office, a gust from the 7 to 8 o'clock position brought the left wing up, followed by the tail of the aircraft. This resulted in the right wing striking the pavement, followed by a propeller strike. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the occurrence, with winds reported to be 22 knots, gusting to greater than 30 knots.
Source record
Factual narrative
On October 9, 1997, approximately 1550 Pacific standard time, N9428G, a Cessna U-206E, sustained substantial damage prior to shutdown at Friday Harbor, Washington, when a gust of wind lifted the tail and caused the right wing to impact the pavement. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was uninjured. The flight had departed Victoria, BC, Canada, where the pilot had dropped off passengers on a 14 CFR 135 flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the occurrence, with winds reported to be 22 knots, gusting to greater than 30 knots. There was no report of the ELT actuating. The pilot stated that after taxiing in to park at the US Customs office, a gust from the 7 to 8 o'clock position brought the left wing up, followed by the tail of the aircraft, causing the right wing to strike the pavement, followed by a propeller strike. -