20230223004149I

On Thursday, February 23, 2023, at approximately 1110 local time, the pilot was planning to fly 172 Cessna aircrft from kbli to kfhr for recreational purposes. Pilot checked the weather and NOTAMS. The winds at kbli were 20 knots and gusting 33 knots at 030. Pilot began his preflight about 10 minutes prior to departure. The pilot stated “the owner's manual for the 172 does not list a maximum wind for departure or taxi. It does mention that with average technique a landing with 15 mph cross wind can be handled with safety”.

After the preflight and startup, the pilot checked ATIS (automated terminal information system), but do not recall which ATIS was current nor did the pilot recall the exact weather from that ATIS.

Due to the winds and the empty ramp in all areas around the aircraft, pre-flight checks were finished prior to taxi and while still pointed more or less into the wind.

The pilot requested taxi from Bellingham ground for a mid-lummi departure (southwest). He also request an intersection delta departure. This would minimize my taxi distance and also minimize the turns I would have to make to get on the runway. The pilot began to taxi, he could see the flag behind the FBO. This and the reported winds along with my directional gyro helped the pilot to position the controls to account for the wind.

As the pilot made the first turn towards taxiway delta, he was able to observe the windsock just south of taxiway echo and use that to aid in positioning the aircraft’s flight controls. About halfway down taxiway delta the pilot stated “he was no longer able to easily see the windsock and held the flight controls for the last observed wind which was a slight quartering tailwind from the right. Per the guidance in the pilot operating handbook, the pilot was taxiing the aircraft very slowly and had the right aileron all the way down (controls turned all the way to the left) and full nose down elevator. As the pilot was approaching the hold short line of intersection delta and runway 34 he obtained takeoff clearance from the tower and was cleared for takeoff on runway 34. At this point, he estimate he was moving forward at a slow walk speed, perhaps about 2-3 knots. Approximately 20 feet before crossing the hold short line for runway 34 the aircraft’s right wing was lifted up by a gust of wind. The wind continued to raise the wing and pilot was unable to take any further corrective action already having the aircraft’s right aileron full down as well as full nose down elevator.

The aircraft came to rest on the left side of the taxiway in a nose low attitude resting on the left main, nose gear, prop and left-wing tip. In accordance with the securing aircraft checklist in the owner’s manual the immediately pulled the mixture knob, turned off the mags and master switch. The pilot also shut off the fuel and exited the aircraft. He did not take the time to install the control lock at this time.

After exiting the aircraft, the pilot walked around the aircraft and noted there was no smoke or fire. Due to the tail being up in the air and the gusty winds, the pilot gently picked up the left wing and set the aircraft back on all three wheels. Then the pilot installed the control lock and waited for the ARFF truck to arrive. After taking pictures of the aircraft the ARFF (airport rescue and fire fighting) chief allowed the aircraft to be pushed backwards down the taxiway and to the tie down area where the aircraft was tied down.