29 Jun 2014: CESSNA 172S — Trax Air

29 Jun 2014: CESSNA 172S — Trax Air

No fatalities • Orlando, FL, United States

Probable cause

The flight instructor's failure to maintain control while taxiing in a strong gusty wind.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The flight instructor reported that he had completed an approximate 1 hour flight with his student pilot and they landed uneventfully. After landing, the airplane had a long taxi to return to the fixed based operator. During the taxi, a thunderstorm moved into the area and the wind increased. The strong wind caused the airplane to weathervane violently in one direction. The wind then lifted the airplane, flipped it over, and it came to rest inverted on the taxiway. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed damage to the fuselage, wings, rudder, and horizontal stabilizer. The recorded wind at the airport at the time of the accident was from 120 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 31 knots.

Contributing factors

  • cause Instructor/check pilot
  • cause Performance/control parameters — Not attained/maintained
  • Effect on operation

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 120/10kt, vis 1sm

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