Accident Details
During a demonstration flight in a weight-shift control aircraft, the flight instructor performed a landing flare on runway 25. He observed the wind sock shift by 90 degrees and felt a violent wind gust from the left, which lifted the left wing. In an attempt to counter the lift, the instructor tried to lower the left wing, but the right wing impacted the ground. The aircraft then cartwheeled before coming to rest.
After the accident, an airport worker informed the instructor that he had been caught in a "dust devil."
Aircraft Information
The weight-shift control aircraft sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
Environmental Conditions
The automated weather observation station at the airport recorded conditions approximately 13 minutes after the accident, at 1243 Pacific daylight time. The wind was from 230 degrees at 8 knots, visibility was 7 statute miles, and there were few clouds at 2,900 feet. The temperature was 81°F with a dew point of 66°F.