NTSB Factual Report

On November 13, 2003, about 0825 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172E, N5329T, was substantially damaged while taxiing at the Long Island Mac Arthur Airport (ISP), Islip, New York. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local maintenance test flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot, who was also an airframe and powerplant mechanic, stated that an annual inspection had just been completed on the airplane, which included an engine change. He checked the automated terminal information service weather, which reported winds from 280 degrees at 20 knots. He then received a clearance to taxi to runway 28, with the intention of conducting an engine run-up and a possible test flight. The pilot was approaching the end of runway 15R, when he applied brakes. As the airplane came to a stop, a gust of wind began to raise the tail, and the airplane nosed over.

The pilot did not report any mechanical failures; however, he stated that the nose landing gear strut was not properly serviced, which resulted in higher tail position.

The pilot reported 1,859 hours of total flight experience, which included 800 hours in the same make and model of the accident airplane.

Winds reported at ISP about a half-hour prior to the accident, were from 280 degrees at 26 knots, with 37 knot gusts. Winds reported about a half-hour after the accident, were from 280 degrees at 24 knots, with 33 knot gusts.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, which resulted in a nose over. A factor in this accident was the gusty wind conditions.