Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during taxi, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot of the ski equipped airplane reported that, when he applied power to takeoff in deep snow, the airplane turned to the left. While taxiing back to the runway centerline, the pilot made a wide turn and the airplane taxied off the left side of the runway into a snow-covered hole, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the right horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.