On April 9, 1994, a Schweizer G-164 (registration N3628T) was involved in an aviation accident near Mount Bellvue, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff due to strong gusts and soft terrain, resulting in a nose-over. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
Aircraft drifted right into a soft wet area during southerly takeoff, nosing over in strong gusts.
What happened
During a southerly takeoff attempt, the aircraft began to drift toward the right side of the runway. This lateral movement caused the plane to enter a soft, wet area adjacent to the paved surface. As the aircraft traversed this unstable terrain, it lost directional control and nosed over into an inverted position.
The investigation
Investigators examined the accident site and reviewed meteorological data. Official wind reports from a location 20 miles southwest of the accident site indicated winds from 225 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 21 knots. The pilot cited strong gusts and the condition of the soft terrain as the primary reasons for the loss of control.
Findings
The combination of crosswind conditions and unstable ground surface contributed to the accident. The aircraft's inability to maintain runway centerline led directly to the nose-over. No further mechanical failures were identified.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff due to strong gusts and soft terrain, resulting in a nose-over.