Accident Details
On October 12, 2023, at about 0250 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 340A airplane, registration N682JS, was substantially damaged when it impacted an airport perimeter fence at Boise Air Terminal/Gowen Field (BOI), Boise, Idaho. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 repositioning flight.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that while taxiing for departure, the right brake failed as he attempted to stop the airplane. The airplane veered left and subsequently struck the airport perimeter fence, resulting in a fire when the left wingtip fuel tank was breached.
Brake and Steering Examination
Examination of the brake system revealed continuity to each wheel brake and appropriate servicing of the brake cylinders. The brakes were cycled, activated, and released appropriately. The wheels and tires showed no anomalies. Examination of the nose wheel steering system, performed by jacking up the nose wheel and verifying proper nosewheel and rudder deflection, revealed no evidence of a failure or malfunction that would have precluded normal operation.
Video Evidence
Airport surveillance video captured the airplane taxiing and the impact with the fence. In the seconds before impact, the airplane did not noticeably slow down or change direction. The video showed the airplane traveling in the same direction and gradually drifting left until the wingtip tank contacted the fence. The airplane then pivoted around the left wingtip, which became embedded in the fence.
Skid Marks
A tire skid mark was observed to the right of the taxi throughway, offset approximately the distance of the airplane's right main landing gear tire. The narrow black skid mark veered left across the centerline and into the area of the fence impact, consistent with the airplane's right main tire being side-loaded and not locked. No other tire skid marks were noted in the area.