CHI03CA004

During the landing rollout, the pilot reported a wind gust which, "blew me off the east side of the runway." Before the airplane could be stopped, it entered a soft, muddy area adjacent to the runway. The nose wheel "dug in" and the airplane nosed over.

On October 5, 2002, at 1045 central daylight time, a Cessna 182 airplane, N3345Y, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it lost directional control during landing rollout at a private airstrip near Oslo, Minnesota. The airplane departed the runway surface (40 feet x 2,500 feet, concrete/gravel) and subsequently flipped over when a soft, muddy area was encountered adjacent to the runway. The airstrip is located approximately 15 nm north of Grand Forks (GFK), and consists of a single runway oriented north-south. The flight departed the Le Sueur Municipal Airport (12Y), Le Sueur, Minnesota, at 0815 cdt, with an intended destination of the Grafton Municipal Airport (GAF), Grafton, North Dakota. However, the pilot decided to make an intermediate stop at the private airstrip. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries.The pilot stated that the Grand Forks ATIS, monitored shortly prior to approach, indicated that winds were from the west at eight knots. Based on this information, the pilot elected to land to the south. He notes: "After landing, but before coming to a stop, a gust of wind blew me off the east side of the runway. It was soft and pulled me to the ditch where the front wheel dug in the mud and flipped the airplane over."

FAA records indicate the pilot held a private pilot certificate with an airplane -- single engine land rating, and a third class medical certificate issued May 2001. The pilot reported 544 hours total time, with 132 hours in the same make and model as the accident aircraft, and 39 hours within the last 90 days. His most recent flight review was April 2001.

The Cessna 182 airplane involved in the accident had accumulated 1,527 hours total time. Its last annual inspection was completed in June 2002, with 39 hours flown since then. The pilot did not report any failures or malfunctions prior to, or at the time of, the accident.

Weather conditions reported by GFK, at 0953 cdt, were few clouds at 7,000 ft, 10,000 ft overcast, 10 miles visibility, and winds from 290 degrees at 11 knots.