Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGMENT IN ATTEMPTING A FLIGHT UNDER THE EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On Friday, February 24, 1995 about 1215 eastern standard time (est), a Cessna 172L, N7002Q piloted by William E. Huber on an instructional flight was substantially damaged during taxi at Saratoga Springs, New York. The two flight instructors received no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
The pilot stated, he departed Albany, New York on a local training flight with a planned stop at Saratoga County. He landed on runway 23 at Saratoga County. He went inside for some coffee and estimated the winds got stronger during that time. During the taxi for takeoff, he stopped to determine which runway to takeoff, 23 or 32. The airplane was stopped on the taxiway on a heading of approximately 360 degrees and the right wing and tail were lifted off the ground and the airplane nosed over. The pilot stated he was using crosswind taxi techniques in accordance with the amplified procedures in the Pilot Operating Handbook (POH).
The weather observation facility at Saratoga County at 1215 est, reported the winds from 280 degrees at 26 knots with gusts up to 37 knots.
The crosswind component chart showed a maximum crosswind component of 24 knots for runway 32 and 29 knots for runway 23. While on the taxiway, the maximum crosswind component was 36 knots.
The POH stated, "Maximum Demonstrated Crosswind Velocity: Takeoff or Landing...15 KNOTS".
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# NYC95LA062