What happened
Following a successful landing on runway 14, the pilot executed a 180-degree turn to exit the active runway. The aircraft then taxied back along the length of the runway toward the intended exit point. While attempting to make a right turn onto the connecting taxiway, the left main gear departed the improved pavement surface.
As the gear moved off the paved area, it struck a concrete culvert situated just beyond the edge of the runway. The impact caused the left main landing gear to collapse. Investigators located brake skid marks on both the runway and the taxiway leading directly to the point where the gear failure occurred.
The investigation
A review of the mechanical systems revealed no evidence of pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have contributed to the accident. The collapse was attributed entirely to the impact with the ground obstacle after leaving the designated taxi path.