Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s loss of directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a collision with a ditch.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to the pilot, during the landing roll at his private airfield, the airplane veered to the right, collided with a ditch, and nosed over. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. An examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the engine firewall and vertical stabilizer.
Source record
Factual narrative
On October 9, 2011, about 1200 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182C, N8527T, was substantially damaged when it collided with a ditch during landing at a private airfield in Efland, North Carolina. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Horace William Airport, Chapel Hill, North Carolina at 1130. The pilot stated that he landed at his private airfield. While on landing roll, the airplane veered to the right, collided with a ditch and nosed over. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine prior to the accident. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and vertical stabilizer. Review of video footage of the accident corroborated the pilot’s statement.