Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot inadvertently taxied the airplane into a ditch.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was taxiing the airplane through an unmarked ramp area to an adjacent taxiway when he inadvertently taxied into a ditch, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane’s right wing. The operator stated that the accident could have been prevented had the ramp and taxiway edges been marked with lights or cones.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot was taxiing the airplane through an unmarked ramp area to an adjacent taxiway when he inadvertently taxied into a ditch, sustaining substantial damage to the right wing. In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the operator stated that the accident could have been prevented had the ramp and taxiway edges been marked with lights or cones.