What happened
During an aircraft trade involving a Piper 28 and an Aero Commander 680, a pilot and passenger attempted to gain experience with the new aircraft by taxiing on the runway at Albany, Georgia. Because the pilot lacked the necessary multi-engine rating, the crew opted to perform taxi maneuvers on runway 09 to familiarize themselves with the aircraft's handling.
As the aircraft reached a taxi speed of approximately 65 mph, a sudden gust of wind impacted the plane. The pilot lost control of the aircraft, causing it to become airborne. The aircraft rotated toward the right, leading the right wing to strike the ground. The momentum caused the plane to cartwheel across the runway, eventually coming to a rest facing the opposite direction of its initial movement. The accident resulted in one fatality and one serious injury.
Findings
An investigation of the wreckage did not identify any mechanical malfunctions contributing to the loss of control. However, several discrepancies were noted regarding the aircraft's condition. While a preflight inspection had been performed, investigators discovered a missing exhaust manifold and a large bird's nest located within the left engine's sump area. Additionally, the pilot lacked the required multi-engine certification for the aircraft type.