What happened
The pilot was taxiing toward runway 32 when they attempted to bring the aircraft to a halt following a turn. The braking system failed to stop the aircraft as intended. To avoid colliding with parked aircraft, the pilot applied right rudder input, but directional control could not be maintained.
The aircraft departed the paved surface and descended an embankment. As it began to settle, a gust of wind estimated at 33 knots struck the airframe, causing it to flip over onto its back.
The investigation
Examination of the event revealed that the primary mechanical failure was the inability of the brakes to stop the aircraft during the taxi maneuver. The subsequent loss of control was exacerbated by environmental conditions.
Findings
The sequence of events was driven by multiple factors:
- Brake system failure prevented the pilot from stopping the aircraft on the taxiway.
- Loss of directional control occurred despite rudder input to avoid obstacles.
- Wind gusts up to 33 knots contributed significantly to the final overturning of the aircraft after it left the runway surface.