Crash location | 45.779167°N, 111.155556°W |
Nearest city | Bozeman, MT
45.679653°N, 111.038558°W 8.9 miles away |
Tail number | N4988M |
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Accident date | 16 Sep 2013 |
Aircraft type | Piper Pa 11 |
Additional details: | None |
The pilot reported that after aborting the takeoff due to an approaching thunderstorm and high winds, while taxiing back to the parking area, a strong wind lifted the airplane. The airplane subsequently nosed over which resulted in substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and inadequate compensation for the high gusty wind conditions during taxi.