Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 182H near Tucson, AZ — 2017-11-12

Final reportGAA18CA051
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Date
2017-11-12
Location
Tucson, AZ, USA
Airport
TUS
Aircraft
CESSNA 182H
Registration
N8515S
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to use taxiways shown on the airport diagrams and his subsequent failure to avoid a ditch.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, after he refueled his airplane, he was cleared by the tower controller to the runway. He added that, as he taxied west toward taxiway Delta, the asphalt was very rough, and he did not see the taxiway to his left nor the unmarked drainage ditch immediately in front of him. The airplane entered the ditch travelling about 5 knots. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Review of the accident airport diagram revealed that the area around the ditch was not a depicted taxiway. Further review of satellite imagery revealed that there were two access points to taxiway Delta southwest of the refueling point.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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  • 4 docket documents
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Docket documents4

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