Primary finding
Probable cause
The loss of directional control while taxiing for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The commercial pilot reported that, while taxiing the airplane to the runway for departure, the airplane suddenly veered right. The pilot attempted to correct the right turn by applying the left brake; however, the attempt was unsuccessful, and the airplane subsequently exited the taxiway, entered a drainage ditch, and then came to rest upright; the left horizontal stabilizer was bent. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the landing gear brake and nosewheel steering system that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
On March 13, 2017, about 1530 central daylight time, a Cessna 182 single-engine airplane, N6330B, impacted terrain following a loss of control while taxiing for departure from the Skiatook Municipal Airport (2F6), Skiatook, Oklahoma. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that while he was taxiing the airplane to runway 36 for departure, the airplane suddenly veered to the right. The pilot attempted to correct the right turn by applying the left brake, however, the attempt was unsuccessful and the airplane entered a drainage ditch. The airplane came to rest upright off the taxiway surface in the drainage ditch. On March 14, 2017, a Federal Aviation Administration inspector and mechanic examined the airplane at the owner's facility. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the left horizontal stabilizer was bent. The inspector and mechanic examined the landing gear brake and nose wheel steering systems. No mechanical or failures were noted within the landing gear system that would have precluded normal operation.