No fatalities

Taxi Accident During Turn on Loose Dirt Surface

Prescott, WA, United States

On May 17, 2018, a CESSNA 182 P was involved in an aviation accident near Prescott, WA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s taxiing too fast on rough terrain, which resulted in a loss of directional control. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

During taxi on loose dirt, a pilot performing a 180-degree left turn with aggressive power caused the right wing-tip and propeller to strike the ground, resulting in substantial left wing damage.

Accident Overview

During taxi on a loose dirt surface, the pilot initiated a left 180-degree turn. The pilot reported using a "fairly aggressive power setting to compensate for the surface conditions." As the turn progressed, the right wing-tip struck the ground. Subsequently, the propeller struck the ground, and the airplane rolled left, causing the left wing to strike the ground.

Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.

Pilot's Account

The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. In a Pilot Aircraft Accident Report submitted to the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot offered a recommendation regarding the accident.

Pilot's Recommendation

In the Recommendation section of the report, the pilot asserted that the accident could have been prevented if the airplane's power setting had not been more than what was needed. The pilot stated, "A more conservative power setting and slower taxi speed could prevent future occurrences."

Contributing factors

Effect on operationPilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintained