What happened
The aircraft was involved in an incident during ground operations following a landing. As the pilot taxied back toward the ramp area, he proceeded along a dirt taxiway. During this maneuver, the pilot observed three individuals standing directly in the path of the aircraft.
To avoid colliding with the pedestrians, the pilot steered the aircraft off the paved or dirt surface and onto the adjacent grass. While still moving under its own power on the grass, the aircraft struck a rock that was protruding approximately four inches from the ground. The impact caused the nose gear yoke to break at the fork. Consequently, the aircraft dropped forward, resting on its propeller and nose section.
The investigation
The physical examination of the aircraft revealed significant damage to the landing gear assembly. Specifically, the nose gear yoke was fractured at the fork area. The forward portion of the aircraft, including the propeller and the nose structure, sustained damage consistent with the weight of the aircraft dropping onto the ground after the structural failure of the nose gear.
Findings
The primary factor in this incident was the presence of a rock protruding from the grass surface. The pilot's decision to taxi on grass to avoid pedestrians placed the aircraft in an environment where hidden or low-profile obstacles, such as rocks, posed a risk to the landing gear. The structural integrity of the nose gear was compromised by the impact with this obstacle.
Safety message
Pilots should exercise extreme caution when taxiing off prepared surfaces. Grass areas may contain debris, rocks, or uneven terrain that can damage landing gear components. When avoiding obstacles on a taxiway, pilots should assess the safety of the alternative surface before committing to it.