N1607D

On May 1, 2003, about 1400 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 170A, N1607D, nosed over during landing rollout at the Twentynine Palms (uncontrolled) Airport, Twentynine Palms, California. The airplane, operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged. Neither the commercial pilot nor the passenger was injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the personal flight that was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was filed. The flight originated fromTehachapi, California, about 1250.

The pilot reported that approaching Twentynine Palms for landing he had received the local weather information from the airport's Unicom operator. The pilot indicated that the wind was from about 320 degrees at 12 knots, with occasional 28-knot gusts. The pilot made a straight-in approach and made a wheel landing without incident on runway 26, between 400 and 500 feet beyond the runway's threshold. During rollout, the airplane began to weathervane to the right. The pilot stated that he initially maintained directional control by applying rudder and left brake. However, as he lowered the tail he lost control when a wind gust was encountered, and the airplane nosed over on the runway. According to the pilot, during the accident no mechanical malfunctions or failures were experienced with the airplane.