ANC95LA024

The pilot was taxiing his high-wing, wheel equipped airplane for takeoff in a northbound direction. A crosswind of about 25 knots was blowing from the east. During the taxi, the nose wheel hit a small snow bank and the airplane nosed down slightly. The wind then picked up the aft end of the airplane and pushed it onto its nose. The airplane was pushed across the ramp and into a snowmobile packing crate.

On December 25, 1994, at 1430 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Cessna 172 airplane, N7137T, registered to and operated by the pilot, nosed down and skidded into a packing crate while taxiing for takeoff at Unalakleet, Alaska. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, was departing Unalakleet and the destination was Teller, Alaska. A VFR flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured and the airplane received substantial damage.

According to the pilot, during taxi he hit a small snow bank that caused the airplane to nose down. The wind then skidded the airplane into a snowmobile packing crate which put a hole in the cabin roof. The pilot indicated that he was taxiing northbound and the winds of about 25 knots were from the east.