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CHI02LA125

2002-05-03 · Redfield, South Dakota, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport 1D8

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

the failure of the pilot to maintain directional control while taxing to takeoff in high and gusty wind conditions.

Factual narrative

On May 3, 2002, at 1300 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N6422E, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over while taxiing for departure at the Redfield Municipal Airport (1D8), Redfield, South Dakota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. According to the pilot's written statement, the aircraft taxied forward about 10 - 15 feet and cleared a hangar to the left side of the airplane. The pilot reported that the left wing began to lift, raising the left wheel off the ground and the aircraft went to the right. The pilot stated that as the left wing continued to rise, the propeller impacted the ground and the aircraft nosed over. The pilot reported that the aircraft came to a rest upside down on the grass. At the time of the accident, the pilot reported the wind was 240 to 260 degrees at 18 knots gusting to 25 knots. When taxing for departure, the aircraft moved forward about 10 to 15 feet and cleared a hangar to the left side. At this point, the left wing began to lift, raising the left wheel off the ground and pushing the aircraft to the right. As the left wing continued to rise, propeller striking occurred and the aircraft nosed over. The pilot reported that the aircraft came to a rest upside down in the grass. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2002_CHI02LA125.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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