What happened
Upon completing the landing roll at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, the pilot received clearance from air traffic control to exit via runway 3C or taxiway J and proceed to Butler Aviation. Following these instructions, the pilot executed a right turn, believing he was entering taxiway J. However, the aircraft actually entered an unmarked paved area located between active taxiways.
Once the pilot realized the aircraft was not on a designated taxiway, he notified the tower. Controllers instructed him to continue moving straight ahead if possible, assuring him that this path would lead back onto the correct taxiway. After advancing only a short distance, the left main landing gear struck an unmarked trench. The trench measured approximately one foot wide, 15 feet long, and about four inches deep. The impact tore off the left main gear.