What happened
The incident occurred while the pilot was maneuvering the aircraft on the ground. The operator, holding a commercial pilot certificate with approximately 1,100 hours of flight time, was taxiing toward Runway 09. As the pilot initiated a left turn to align with the runway centerline, a sudden gust of wind affected the airplane's trajectory.
This crosswind component caused the aircraft to veer sharply to the right, away from the paved surface. The plane continued its uncontrolled path until it came to rest upright in an adjacent ditch. There were no reports of injuries to the pilot or any passengers, and the aircraft sustained damage consistent with leaving the runway environment.
Findings
Meteorological conditions at the time of the accident played a significant role in the outcome. Wind data indicated that winds were blowing from 160-165 degrees. The sustained wind speed was reported between 19 and 24 knots, with occasional higher gusts noted during the period. These variable wind conditions contributed to the loss of directional control during the low-speed ground maneuver.