Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary GAA18CA296

Prescott, WA, USA

Aircraft #1

N182EW

CESSNA 182

Analysis

According to the pilot, during taxi on a loose dirt surface, he initiated a left 180° turn. He reported that he was using a "fairly aggressive power setting to compensate for the surface conditions." During the left turn, the right wingtip struck the ground. Additionally, the propeller struck the ground, and the airplane then rolled left, and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to left wing. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented if the airplane's power setting had not been more than what was needed and that "a more conservative power setting and slower taxi speed could prevent future occurrences." The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Factual Information

According to the pilot, during taxi on a loose dirt surface, he initiated a left 180° turn. He reported that he was using a "fairly aggressive power setting to compensate for the surface conditions." During the left turn, the right wing-tip struck the ground. Additionally, the propeller struck the ground and the airplane rolled left and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to left wing. Per the National Transportation Safety Board, Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, in the Recommendation section, the pilot asserted that the accident could have been prevented if the airplanes power setting had not been more than what was needed. "A more conservative power setting and slower taxi speed could prevent future occurrences." The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s taxiing too fast on rough terrain, which resulted in a loss of directional control.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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