On March 4, 1992, a Cessna 195 (registration N4495C) operated by Billy H. Basham was involved in an aviation accident near Charleston, WV. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE TAXIWAY SIGN. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
After landing on runway 23, a Cessna 195 exited onto taxiway A3. During a left turn, the right wheel entered soft dirt. The pilot applied power and left rudder; the tail swung right, striking a taxiway marker, damaging the horizontal stabilizer and elevator.
Accident Details
The aircraft involved was a Cessna 195 operating a cross-country VFR flight. It had just landed on runway 23 and exited the runway to the left at taxiway A3.
Sequence of Events
As the pilot initiated a 70-degree left turn onto the taxiway, the right wheel of the airplane rolled off the right side of the taxiway into soft dirt. In response, the pilot increased engine power and applied left rudder. This caused the tail of the airplane to swing to the right, where it struck an airport taxiway marker.
Damage
The collision resulted in damage to the airplane's horizontal stabilizer and elevator. Following the incident, the pilot taxied the aircraft to the ramp without further incident.