NTSB Factual Report

On May 2, 2001, at 1030 eastern daylight time, a Cessna C182P, N1491S, flipped over during a crosswind landing on the grass strip at Chalet Suzanne Air Strip, Lake Wales, Florida. The personal flight was conducted by the pilot under provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with an instrument flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airline transport pilot and his three passengers were not injured. The flight departed Ocala Regional Airport, in Ocala, Florida, at 1000.

According to the pilot, during a crosswind landing on runway 36 at Chalet Suzanne Air Strip, "while making a normal approach, right after the nose lowered to the ground, the nose either hit a rock or hole. The nose pitched up and down repeatedly. The nose of the plane dug into the turf and the airplane flipped on its back". The airplane came to rest inverted. The pilot stated that the runway was rough and uneven terrain. The pilot and passengers then exited the airplane.

The pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane. Examination of the airplane failed to disclose any mechanical malfunction or component failure. A review of recorded weather data disclosed that, weather conditions at the time of the accident showed winds 090 at 14 knots. According to The Pilot Operating Handbook, the maximum demonstrated crosswind is 15 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper use of flight controls during a bounced landing, and subsequent collision with the ground. A factor of the collision is the rough and uneven terrain.