What happened
While taxiing toward the centerline of runway 34R, a tailwheel-equipped airplane experienced a sudden left turn and a nose-down movement. The pilot reported that a wind gust hit the aircraft, causing it to spin counterclockwise.
As the aircraft nosed down, the pilot exited the cockpit and attempted to stabilize the plane manually. However, strong winds caused the aircraft to blow over onto its back. The aircraft came to rest balanced on its propeller spinner, the left wing tip, and the left main landing gear. The pilot was not injured.
At the time of the accident, winds were reported from 280 to 310 degrees at approximately 20 to 25 knots, with gusts reaching 30 knots. Recorded airport weather seven minutes prior to the event showed winds from 300 degrees at 24 knots with gusts to 31 knots. For a takeoff on runway 34R (true heading 352 degrees), this resulted in a calculated crosswind component of 23 knots, which significantly exceeded the maximum demonstrated crosswind velocity of 12 knots specified in the Pilot's Operating Handbook.