SEA03LA055

During landing roll on runway 8 the pilot experienced light winds and gusts out of the south, causing the right wing to rise and the airplane to nose over. No mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane were reported.

On April 7, 2003, approximately 1050 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-22 single-engine airplane, N4857A, registered to a private individual and being operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage following a loss of control on landing rollout at the Lexington Airport, Lexington, Oregon. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from Pendleton, Oregon, at 0920.

According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that upon arriving at his destination, visual flight rule conditions existed with light winds and gusts out of the south. The pilot stated that after landing on runway 8, and during his rollout, "a gust of wind raised the right wing, causing the left wing to go down and the airplane nosed over."

The pilot reported that damage to the airplane included the propeller spinner being crushed, the propeller blades being bent, both wing spars damaged, the rudder folded over, and the wing struts bent. The pilot also reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time of the accident.