On October 19, 1997, an Aviat A-1 (registration N9614B) was involved in an aviation accident near Duxbury, MA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane. A related factor was the wind gusts. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During taxi after landing on a private grass field, a pilot added power to turn left when a wind gust caused the airplane to nose over. Winds were from the east at 10 knots gusting to 18 knots.
Event Description
After landing on a private, up-sloping grass field, the pilot began taxiing to park the airplane. To execute a 180-degree left turn, he added power while applying left rudder and left toe brake. As the turn commenced, a strong wind gust struck the airplane, causing it to nose over.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that winds were from the east at 10 knots with gusts up to 18 knots at the time of the accident. He stated that there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane. In his opinion, the accident could have been prevented by cutting the engine after the landing roll and turning the airplane around by hand.