Incident Overview
A pilot reported that while taxiing to the runway for departure, the airplane experienced a "large bump." The pilot immediately shut down the engine and conducted a post-incident inspection. The inspection revealed damage to the right wing and landing gear.
Investigation Details
After observing the damage, the pilot inspected the taxiway and identified a snow-covered pothole as the source of the bump. The pilot stated that the right landing gear had encountered the pothole during taxi, causing the sudden jolt and subsequent structural damage.
Aircraft Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing structure. The extent of the damage required further evaluation beyond the initial inspection.
Mechanical Status
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The incident was solely attributed to the taxiway condition.
Conclusion
The event underscores the presence of a hidden hazard on the taxiway covered by snow. No further causal factors were identified by the pilot or the subsequent inspection.