What happened
The pilot was taxiing the aircraft toward the takeoff runway when he decided to pause in order to determine whether Runway 23 or Runway 32 would be the appropriate choice for departure. During this stop, the airplane was positioned on the taxiway with a heading of approximately 360 degrees. At that moment, the right wing and the tail section lifted off the ground, causing the aircraft to nosed over onto its nose.
The investigation
An examination of the weather conditions at the time of the incident revealed significant wind activity. The Weather Observation Facility located at the airport reported winds coming from 280 degrees at a speed of 26 knots, with gusts reaching up to 36 knots. These strong and gusty crosswind conditions likely contributed to the loss of ground contact for the right wing and tail during the stationary period.
Findings
The primary factor in this incident was the combination of the aircraft being stopped on the taxiway and the prevailing wind conditions. The pilot's decision to halt movement while navigating the airport environment exposed the aircraft to lateral forces that it could not counteract, resulting in the nosedown attitude. No further mechanical failures or procedural errors were identified beyond the environmental factors.
Safety message
Pilots should remain aware of wind direction and speed when taxiing, especially during stops. Maintaining control authority and minimizing stationary periods in high winds can help prevent similar incidents.