CHI00LA143

The airplane was taxiing onto runway 24 when a gust of wind lifted the tail and flipped the airplane over. Winds reported just prior to the accident, taken from a tape of the tower controller's communications, were 310 degrees at 34 knots gusting 47 knots. Another reading was taken at the of the accident calling winds at the center field sensor as 290 degrees at 27 knots gusting 44 knots. The winds at the northeast sensor were reported as 360 degrees at 28 knots with a low level wind shear (LLWS) advisory. In a written statement the pilot said that he had been cleared for takeoff on runway 24. 'Once the plane rolled past the hold short line a strong gust of wind began to push the plane sideways, from the right side of the runway to the left. The wind then sheered to the right rear quarter of the plane pushing the 207's tail into the air so that the plane stood nearly vertically on its spinner and then continued over.'

On May 24, 2000, at 1550 central daylight time, a Cessna T207A, N774EA, operated by Front Line Aviation, was substantially damaged when it nosed over while taxing onto runway 24 (7,699 feet by 150 feet, concrete/grooved) at the Austin Straubel International Airport (GRB), Green Bay, Wisconsin. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 positioning flight was operating under an IFR flight plan. The pilot reported minor injuries. The flight was departing GRB for John F. Kennedy Memorial Airport, Ashland, Wisconsin.

Weather at GRB was reported at 1558 as: wind 360 degrees at 19 knots gusting to 29 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition scattered at 9,500 feet; temperature 19 degrees C; dew point 8 degrees C; altimeter 29.48 inches of mercury.

Tape recordings of the Air Traffic Control communications at GRB indicate winds just prior to the accident were 310 degrees at 34 knots gusting to 47 knots. Another reading was taken as the accident was occurring calling winds at center field from 290 degrees at 27 knots gusting to 44 knots. The winds at the northeast quadrant of the airport were 360 degrees at 28 knots with a low level wind shear (LLWS) advisory from the tower. The Air Traffic Control manager at Green Bay reported, in a phone interview, that a low-level wind shear alert was being broadcast on the current Automated Terminal Information Service (ATIS) recording. In a phone interview, the pilot stated that he did not remember receiving a wind shear alert on ATIS, but does remember hearing wind shear alerts on the ground and tower frequencies.

In a written statement, the pilot stated that he called air traffic control and received a clearance to takeoff on runway 24 at GRB. He reported, "Once the plane rolled past the hold short line a strong gust of wind began to push the plane sideways, from the right side of the runway to the left. The wind then sheered to the right rear quarter of the plane pushing the 207's tail into the air so that the plane stood nearly vertically on its spinner and then continued over. The plane came to rest, upsidedown, on the southside of the centerline of runway 24 with the nose pointed back in the direction of the D2 taxiway."

In a phone conversation the pilot stated that he positioned the flight controls for a wind that was ahead and to the right. He stated that he had the control wheel "back and to the right." Taxiway D2 is a north-south running taxiway, and the winds were out of the northwest. Cessna recommends when winds are between the 3 o'clock and 6 o'clock position relative to the aircraft's nose, the control wheel be positioned left and forward.