N. LAS VEGAS, NV, USA
N9344C
Cessna 180
Prior to landing the pilot received ATIS information reporting winds to be from 220 degrees at 15 knots gusting to 25 knots. The airplane landed right of centerline, and while taxiing to exit the runway, was struck by a gust of wind that moved the airplane further to the right of centerline. He corrected with left rudder when another gust of wind caught the tail from the left side and lifted it into the air. The airplane nosed down and then came to rest on its main landing gear. The pilot noted no discrepancies with the airframe.
On April 28, 2000, at 1705 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 180, N9344C, veered off runway 25 while taxiing to exit the runway at the North Las Vegas airport, Las Vegas, Nevada. The airplane, operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage. The private pilot/owner and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the personal flight, and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Cameron Park, California, airport at 1400 the day of the accident, and was to terminate at the accident airport. The pilot reported that he received the current ATIS information, which reported the winds to be from 220 degrees at 15 knots gusting to 25 knots. He noted that during the approach it was very windy and bumpy all the way down to the runway. He landed right of centerline and indicated that the wind was moving the airplane to the right of the runway. He saw the landing lights to the right side, and input left rudder to correct back to centerline and started to taxi off the runway at 3-5 mph. He was correcting with left rudder when another gust of wind caught the tail from the left side and lifted it into the air. The airplane nosed down and then came to rest on its main landing gear. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical anomalies noted with the airplane.
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind condition, and his improper positioning of the flight controls.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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