Incident Details
A private pilot was taxiing an aircraft for takeoff when the left landing gear sank into a hole on the taxiway. The incident occurred as the aircraft moved along the taxiway surface. The pilot reported that the landing gear encountered an unexpected depression, causing the aircraft to lurch and sustain damage.
Investigation Findings
Following the incident, an investigation revealed that the dirt covering a storm drainage pipe beneath the taxiway had eroded over time. This erosion left a void approximately 6 feet in diameter and 12 feet deep. The asphalt covering the hole was punctured by the aircraft's landing gear, which broke through the surface and dropped into the cavity. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft.
Damage Assessment
The aircraft sustained substantial damage due to the landing gear's abrupt descent into the void. The force of the puncture and the subsequent contact with the hole's edges caused structural and mechanical harm to the landing gear assembly and surrounding airframe. The precise extent of the damage was not specified beyond being described as substantial.
Conclusion
The incident was attributed to the hidden void beneath the taxiway, which compromised the asphalt's integrity. No other contributing factors, such as weather or pilot error, were mentioned in the source. The investigation did not assign a specific probable cause.