On March 6, 1991, a Cessna 140 (registration N76553) operated by Mosely, Willliam I. was involved in an aviation accident near Flagstaff, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THAT THE PILOT IMPROPERLY USED THE FLIGHT CONTROLS AND BRAKES. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS AN EXISTING CROSS/TAILWIND. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An airplane nosed over while turning off the runway after a gust of wind raised its left wing. The pilot reported an uneventful wheel landing. Winds were from 260 degrees at 5 knots.
Accident Overview
The local controller cleared the airplane to land on runway 03, which is 6,999 feet long. The surface wind at the time was from 260 degrees at 5 knots, as indicated by the weather observation chart. The pilot executed a wheel landing and reported it was uneventful. As the airplane decelerated on the runway, the pilot began a turn to exit onto the taxiway. During this turn, a gust of wind lifted the left wing, and the airplane then nosed over. The pilot could not recall if he applied brakes while attempting to arrest the left wing's upward movement.
Weather Conditions
The wind was measured at 260 degrees and 5 knots. No additional weather phenomena were reported.
Pilot Report
In his report, the pilot described the landing as uneventful. He noted that the nose-over occurred after a gust raised the left wing. He was uncertain about whether he used brakes during the event.