Accident Details
The accident occurred as the airplane was taxiing onto runway 24. According to the pilot's written statement, the aircraft had been cleared for takeoff. Once the plane rolled past the hold short line, a strong gust of wind pushed it sideways from the right side of the runway to the left. The wind then shifted to the right rear quarter, lifting the tail and causing the airplane to stand nearly vertically on its spinner before flipping over completely.
Weather Conditions
Winds reported just prior to the accident were recorded from the tower controller's communications tape as 310 degrees at 34 knots gusting 47 knots. Another reading taken at the time of the accident from the center field sensor indicated 290 degrees at 27 knots gusting 44 knots. Additionally, the northeast sensor reported 360 degrees at 28 knots with a low level wind shear (LLWS) advisory in effect.
Pilot Statement
In a written statement, the pilot described the sequence: 'Once the plane rolled past the hold short line a strong gust of wind began to push the plane sideways, from the right side of the runway to the left. The wind then sheered to the right rear quarter of the plane pushing the 207's tail into the air so that the plane stood nearly vertically on its spinner and then continued over.'