NTSB Factual Report

On September 30, 2005, at 1740 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N5394K, impacted a fence while the pilot was taxiing to the departure runway at the Reno/Tahoe International Airport, Reno, Nevada. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Reno Flying Service operated the rental airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed for the local flight.

According to the pilot's written statement, the ground controller at the airport cleared him to taxi to the active runway (16L) via taxiway Charlie. The pilot accidentally taxied onto the vehicle access road that paralleled the assigned taxiway. While he was taxiing down the road, the airplane encountered a "severe wind gust," which picked up the airplane and moved it 90 degrees to the right. The airplane came to rest on top of a fuel farm perimeter fence, substantially damaging the right wing.

The pilot reported that he obtained the automated weather information, which reported the wind from 260 degrees at 12 knots with gusts to 20 knots. He added that he had established a crosswind correction control input while he was taxiing. In addition, he reported no anomalies with the airplane or engine prior to impacting the fence.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while taxiing in gusty wind conditions.