ERA13CA181

Factual narrative

According to the pilot, he elected to land at the accident airport since there were thunderstorms between him and the destination airport. He landed the airplane without incident and was taxiing to the tiedown area when the wind increased. The wind lifted the tail of the airplane, it nosed over, and came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and empennage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The weather reported at an airport located six miles to the east of the accident location included thunderstorm activity and winds from 240 degrees at 14 knots, gusts 19 knots, and the peak wind was recorded at 52 knots. According to the pilot, he elected to land because there were thunderstorms between his location and the destination airport. He landed the airplane without incident and was taxiing to a parking area when the wind increased. The wind lifted the tail of the airplane; it nosed over and came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and empennage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The weather reported at an airport located 6 miles east of the accident location indicated thunderstorm activity and wind from 240 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 19 knots; peak wind gusts of 52 knots were recorded repeatedly during a 30 minute period around the time of the accident. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Convective weather-Thunderstorm-Contributed to outcome - C
• C Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-High wind-Contributed to outcome - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C