[captain2k_ca]

Wind throws plane, pilot for a loop

Cessna 182 ends up on its back while taxiing on runway at County Airport

Lethbridge Herald

A local pilot executed an unwanted runway manoeuvre early Wednesday when powerful wind gusts flipped his Cessna 182 on its back like a turtle.

"He was taxiing (to take off) when the wind caught him and he did a ground loop," said Lethbridge County Airport manager Scott Butchart.

"The pilot was not injured but the damages to the aircraft are significant."

A ground loop occurs when, for various reasons, the front end of an aircraft decides to switch places with the back end or, as in this case, completely flip over.

A Cessna 182 weighs 770 kilograms when empty and has a maximum take-off and landing weight of about 1,200 kg.

Wind gusts reported by Environment Canada overnight Tuesday and into Wednesday peaked at 100 km/h.

"We're dealing with some pretty significant surface winds today but it hasn't disrupted the schedule," Butchart said.

"The heavier commercial aircraft aren't really affected by it."

A wind warning remained in effect throughout the day for Lethbridge, Taber and Milk River. Environment Canada said property damage has been reported in the affected areas.



A gentle reminder to any flyers here to watch those crosswind control inputs, and don't get out of the hangar if its just too windy!!!