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Airplane Noses Over During Taxi in High Winds (N3455U)

Estherville, IA, US

On February 11, 2003, a Cessna 182F (registration N3455U) was involved in an aviation accident near Estherville, IA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot failed to maintain adequate control of the airplane while taxiing in high wind conditions. A factor was the high winds. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

An airplane nosed over while taxiing on grass in windy and snowy conditions, causing a prop strike and substantial damage. The pilot had landed safely and was applying full wind correction.

Incident Details

The airplane sustained substantial damage when it nosed over while taxiing during high wind conditions. According to the pilot, he landed safely and began taxiing slowly toward a hangar, applying "full wind correction" of the flight controls. He taxied onto the grass to approach the hangar with a quartering headwind. The pilot reported that snow covered the grass and the "wind was making us skid a little." Approximately "100 feet from the runway we slowly went up on our nose causing a prop strike," and "then we went over."

Wind Conditions

Winds recorded about 22 miles northeast of the airport were from 330 degrees at 40 knots.

Damage

The aircraft received substantial damage from the nose-over and propeller strike.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 11 Feb 2003 Cessna 182F accident near Estherville, IA?

An airplane nosed over while taxiing on grass in windy and snowy conditions, causing a prop strike and substantial damage. The pilot had landed safely and was applying full wind correction.

Were there any fatalities in the 11 Feb 2003 Cessna 182F accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 11 Feb 2003 involved a Cessna 182F, registration N3455U, at Estherville, IA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot failed to maintain adequate control of the airplane while taxiing in high wind conditions. A factor was the high winds.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20030214X00224. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.