CEN11CA309

Factual narrative

As the commercial pilot prepared for the evening cargo flight, the winds were reported as being strong and gusting. The pilot reported that he radioed the control tower for his flight clearance and the current wind conditions. Since the wind was higher than previously reported, the pilot told the tower that he would wait, before taxing further. The pilot added that after deciding to delay the flight and before he could shut down the airplane, a large gust of wind pushed the airplane’s nose left and lifted the left wing. The airplane’s propeller and right wing impacted the ground, bending the airplane’s right wing. At 1851 the automated weather reporting station, located on the airport, reported the wind at 270 degrees at 36 knots gusting to 48 knots. As the pilot prepared for the evening cargo flight, the wind was reported as being strong and gusting. The pilot reported that he radioed the air traffic controller for his flight clearance and the current wind conditions. Since the wind was higher than previously reported, the pilot told the controller that he would wait before taxiing further. The pilot added that, after deciding to delay the flight and before he could shut down the airplane, a large gust of wind pushed the airplane’s nose left and lifted the left wing. The airplane’s propeller and right wing impacted the ground, bending the airplane’s right wing. At about the time of the accident the automated weather reporting station, located on the airport, reported the wind at 270 degrees at 36 knots gusting to 48 knots. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-High wind-Effect on equipment - C