On April 8, 1989, a Stinson 108-3 (registration N6662M) was involved in an aviation accident near Livermore, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft during landing due to a sudden wind shift and gusts. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft landed on runway 7 under calm conditions, but a sudden wind shift and gusts pushed it off the right side of the runway, causing it to nose over.
What happened
According to the pilot's report, the wind sock indicated there was little to no wind before he landed. After landing on runway 7, the wind shifted, and a gust blew the aircraft to the right. Subsequently, the aircraft went off the right side of the runway and nosed over. Witnesses reported the wind was variable and gusty at the time of the accident.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the weather conditions at the time of the accident. The pilot's report and witness accounts confirmed that the wind shifted after landing, causing the aircraft to move off the runway.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft during landing due to a sudden wind shift and gusts.