Event GAA18CA491

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, while turning left from the runway onto a taxiway, a wind gust lifted the right wing, the airplane flipped and came to rest off the taxiway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 17 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 250° at 35 knots, gusting 44 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 25. The pilot reported that, while turning left from the runway onto a taxiway, a wind gust lifted the right wing and that the airplane then flipped over and came to rest off the taxiway.  The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and vertical stabilizer.  The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport’s automated weather observation station reported that, about 17 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 250° at 35 knots, gusting to 44 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 25. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Crosswind correction-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-High wind-Effect on operation
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Effect on operation
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Effect on operation