EL PASO, TX, USA
N2526U
Cessna 172D
The pilot reported to an FAA inspector that he landed the airplane on runway 24. While exiting from the active runway onto the taxiway, in high wind conditions, the airplane was lifted off the ground and flipped over. The winds at the time of the accident were reported from 240 degrees, at 46 knots, with gusts to 51 knots.
On February 24, 1998, at 2100 central daylight time, a Cessna 172D airplane, N2526U, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while taxing at the El Paso International Airport, El Paso, Texas. The private, instrument rated pilot and the passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated from the Fort Stockton-Pecos County Airport, Fort Stockton, Texas, approximately 1715, and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that he landed the airplane on runway 24. While exiting from the active runway onto the taxiway, during high wind conditions, the aircraft was "lifted off the ground and flipped over". The airplane came to rest inverted on the taxiway. The winds at the time of the accident were reported from 240 degrees, at 46 knots, with gusts to 51 knots. The FAA inspector who examined the airplane at the site reported that both wing tips were curled. He also observed that the propeller blades were bent. Attempts to obtain a completed copy of the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), from the pilot, who was reported to have returned to his homeland in Germany, were unsuccessful.
The pilots improper compensation for the wind conditions and his failure to maintain control of the aircraft. A factor was the high wind condition.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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