19990511020549A

On may 11, 1999, at 1315 central daylight time, an air tractor AT-502A agricultural airplane, N166MM, was substantially damaged while landing at the South Stoesser airstrip near Huffman, Texas. The airplane was owned and operated by m and m air service of winnie, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 code of federal regulations (CFR) part 137 aerial application flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The originating flight for the day commenced from beaumont, Texas, at 0750. According to the pilot, the airplane was landing on the 2,600 foot turf runway when a gust of wind raised the left wing. The right wing "dipped down" and contacted grass that was approximately five feet above ground level. Subsequently, the airplane "cartwheeled", and came to rest inverted on the west side of the runway. An FAA inspector examined the airplane at the site and reported that the fuselage was separated aft of the pilot's seat. The wing spars, the elevator and rudder were structurally damaged. (.4) the pilot of the agricultural airplane was performing his 16th approach of the day into the private airstrip when, during the landing flare, 'a gust of wind picked up [the] left wing and moved [the aircraft] to the right.' The right wing contacted a strip of grass, which was approximately 5 feet tall, along the right side of the runway. The aircraft subsequently 'cartwheeled' to the right and came to rest inverted on the west side of the runway. The pilot reported winds at the time of the accident to be from 130 degrees at 15 knots with gusts to 20 knots. (-23)pilot didn't compensate for wind on landing, causing left wing to tip to contact ground.