On February 1, 1993, a Cessna 140 (registration N3571V) operated by Roebke, Thaddeus F. was involved in an aviation accident near Warren, MN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR VARIABLE WIND CONDITIONS DURING LANDING. THE CROSSWIND WAS A FACTOR. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot lost directional control after touchdown on a snowy airstrip, striking a snowbank and causing the aircraft to nose over due to variable winds.
What happened
The pilot reported landing on Runway 36 while experiencing winds from 270 degrees at a speed of 10 knots. Shortly after touchdown, the aircraft veered off the left side of the airstrip. It subsequently struck a snowbank and nosed over.
The pilot noted that the presence of a tree fence and hangars caused the wind on the strip to be very variable.