What happened
The pilot executed a successful landing in an unimproved wheat field. After the aircraft came to a complete stop, the pilot initiated a 180-degree turn to reorient the plane. During this maneuver, the right main landing gear rolled into a furrow in the ground, causing the nose to dip slightly. Shortly after, strong gusting winds reached 25 knots and caught the upwind wing of the aircraft. This aerodynamic force caused the aircraft to roll over onto its back.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical state of the aircraft following the incident. Examination revealed significant structural damage consistent with a nose-over event. The sequence of events was determined by analyzing the gear position relative to the terrain furrows and the direction of the wind gusts at the time of the accident.
Findings
Contributing factors included the unimproved nature of the landing site, which presented uneven terrain with deep furrows. The wind conditions were a critical element, as the 25-knot gusts provided sufficient lift to overturn the aircraft once it was destabilized by the gear hitting the furrow. The pilot's decision to turn in such conditions on soft, uneven ground led to the accident.
Safety message
Pilots should exercise extreme caution when landing and maneuvering in unimproved fields, particularly when wind conditions are gusty. Uneven terrain can easily destabilize an aircraft during ground operations, and strong winds can exacerbate this risk by catching control surfaces or wings unexpectedly.