N82259

On September 23, 1997, at 1705 hours Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-18-150, N82259, veered off runway 10, contacted a chain link fence with the landing gear and came to rest inverted while landing at the Hawthorne, Nevada, airport. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, and the co-owner/pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the personal flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight had originated from the Jackpot, Nevada, airport at 1400 on the day of the accident.

The pilot reported that he attempted a radio call on the Hawthorne CTAF frequency for airport advisories, but that there was no response. He stated that he overflew the airport and observed the windsock showing no wind. He entered left traffic for runway 10. The pilot reported that as the aircraft slowed after touchdown, a gust of wind or dust devil caused the aircraft to turn radically to the right. The aircraft started to ground loop and he added full power to recover from the ground loop. The aircraft departed the runway on a "stable heading and clipped [a] short fence." He reported no mechanical problems with the aircraft.