Loss of Control on Ground: Cessna 182P, N182EW, accident occurred May 17, 2018 in Prescott, Walla Walla County, Washington

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Spokane, Washington

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

http://registry.faa.gov/N182EW 

Location: Prescott, WA
Accident Number: GAA18CA296
Date & Time: 05/16/2018, 1700 PDT
Registration: N182EW
Aircraft: CESSNA 182
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

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.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's taxiing too fast on rough terrain, which resulted in a loss of directional control.

Findings

Aircraft
Directional control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Rough terrain - Effect on operation (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Taxi-into takeoff position
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Loss of control on ground (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 44, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 10/09/2013
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 12/21/2017
Flight Time:   (Estimated) 283 hours (Total, all aircraft), 39 hours (Total, this make and model), 162 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 7 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 4 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Registration: N182EW
Model/Series: 182 P
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1976
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 18264841
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 05/12/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2348 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 3440 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: CONT MOTOR
ELT:  Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-470-F
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 260 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: ALW
Distance from Accident Site:
Observation Time: 2353 UTC
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition:  Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 4 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction: 180°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.85 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 23°C / 12°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Walla Walla, WA (ALW)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Prescott, WA
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1625 PST
Type of Airspace: Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude:  46.220833, -118.121944 (est)