What happened
While taxiing from the parking ramp toward the runway for takeoff, an aircraft experienced a sudden wind gust that lifted its left wing. This movement caused the right wing to strike the ground. At the time of the incident, the pilot was executing a left turn, transitioning from a magnetic heading of approximately 210 degrees to a heading of approximately 120 degrees.
The captain reported that the impact resulted in the right wing being bent upward by 10 to 20 degrees, approximately 3 to 4 feet inboard from the wingtip. The pilot estimated wind conditions were from 110 degrees magnetic at 35 knots with gusts up to 40 knots. However, the Automated Weather Observing Station (AWOS) at the airport recorded winds from 150 degrees true at 39 knots, gusting to 48 knots.
Findings
- The aircraft sustained damage to the right wing structure.
- High wind speeds and gusts were present during the taxi maneuver.