Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his use of excessive braking while taxiing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The flight instructor and the student pilot, who was on the controls, were taxiing for departure when the airplane started to veer right of the taxiway centerline. To correct the veer, the student quickly applied the brakes. The instructor reported that he could not intervene quickly enough before the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted on the taxiway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and vertical stabilizer. The instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The flight instructor and the student pilot who was on the controls, were taxiing for departure when the airplane started to veer to the right of the taxiway centerline. In an attempt to correct the directional movement, the student pilot applied the brakes quickly. The flight instructor reported that he could not intervene quick enough before the airplane nosed-over and came to rest inverted on the taxiway. The airplane sustained substantial damage the right wing and vertical stabilizer. The flight instructor reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures prior to the accident that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.