Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s loss of control after encountering a dust devil during taxi.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot of a tailwheel equipped airplane reported that while taxiing after an uneventful landing, he encountered a dust devil, and the tail of the airplane began to lift. The pilot attempted to turn the airplane around to point it into the wind when the tail lifted further, and the airplane nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the rudder and lift struts. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.