N8470K

On March 8, 1999, approximately 1040 mountain standard time, a Stinson 108-1, N6470K, was substantially damaged during taxiing at the Santa Rosa Municipal Airport, Santa Rosa, New Mexico. The private pilot, the sole occupant in the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was being operated by the owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight which originated from Hereford, Texas, approximately 70 minutes before the accident. No flight plan had been filed.

According to the pilot, he had just landed on runway 26 and was turning to taxi to the tie-down area. He said that a gust of wind blew the airplane over onto its back. Both wings were damaged and the vertical stabilizer was bent. The airport manager reported that the wind was 270 degrees at 25 knots, with gusts to 35 knots, at the time of the accident.

The previous owner reported that the pilot purchased the airplane in February of 1998. FAA records indicate that the pilot received his private pilot certificate on April 30, 1998. The Investigator-In-Charge (IIC) made several attempts to talk with the pilot, which were not successful. The IIC could not determine how many hours the pilot had in the airplane.