FTW02LA171

The pilot obtained a standard weather briefing which included VFR conditions for the intended route of flight. En route, he observed a developing squall line intersecting the intended route, and he made a decision to divert and land the airplane. Following the "normal touchdown" on the runway, an "extremely strong wind burst accompanied by rain pushed" the airplane onto grass off the left side of the runway. Subsequently, the airplane struck a ditch running perpendicular to the runway before coming to rest nosed over. At the approximate time of the accident, the wind was from 340 degrees at 14 knots with gusts to 30 knots, visibility 2 1/2 statue miles, with heavy thunderstorms and rain showers, and a wind shift with peak gust at 44 knots.

On June 2, 2002, at 1730 central daylight time, a Cessna 172L, single-engine airplane, N4261Q, was substantially damage when it struck a ditch following a loss of control while landing on runway 17 at the Dalhart Municipal Airport, near Dalhart, Texas. The airplane was owned and operated by Advantage Air Flight Service, Inc., of Flagstaff, Arizona, under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The non-instrument rated private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight, and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed. The personal flight departed Liberal, Kansas, at 1615, with a planned destination of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that prior to his departure from Liberal, he obtained a standard weather briefing which included VFR conditions along his intended route of flight. En route, he was not able to establish radio contact with the flight service station for further weather updates. Due to the developing squall line intersecting the intended route, the pilot elected to divert to Dalhart and land the airplane.

The 118-hour pilot reported a "normal touchdown" on runway 17, and then an "extremely strong wind burst accompanied by rain pushed" the airplane onto the grass off the left side of the runway. Subsequently, the airplane struck a ditch running perpendicular to runway 17 and the airplane nosed over coming to rest in the inverted position. Runway 17, at the Dalhart Municipal Airport, is 6,400 feet long and 75 feet wide.

The FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported structural damage at the engine firewall, the left wing, and the fuselage. The propeller, nose landing gear, and gear box were also damaged.

At 1753, the Dalhart Municipal Airport was reporting the wind from 340 degrees at 14 knots with gusts to 30 knots, visibility 2 1/2 statue miles, with heavy thunderstorms and rain showers, and a wind shift with peak gust at 44 knots.