Overview
The airplane experienced a nose-over event while taxiing for takeoff, resulting in substantial damage. The incident occurred after the pilot had landed to refuel following a three-hour flight.
Sequence of Events
The pilot had purchased the airplane one day prior to the accident. After a flight of about three hours, he landed to refuel. Following refueling, he back-taxied down runway 35 for takeoff. The winds at the time were reported as 020 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 18 knots. The pilot reported that the winds were 20–25 knots and that a gust of wind struck the airplane. Within 10 to 15 seconds, the airplane nosed over and came to rest upside down.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that the airplane did not have a mechanical malfunction. He held a current Third Class Medical Certificate, but his last biennial flight review had been on October 3, 1986.