What happened
On 3 November 2000, a CFM Aircraft Ltd Shadow series DD, registration G-BXZY, was involved in a taxiway excursion at Biggin Hill. The aircraft, operated for a private flight, was taxiing toward hold 'D2' during fine weather conditions with a light southerly wind of 6 to 8 knots.
As the pilot approached the holding point, a right-hand turn from a heading of approximately 030° was required to follow the taxiway centerline. To execute this maneuver, the pilot utilized differential braking, a method used to steer the tricycle-gear aircraft. During this turn, the aircraft failed to remain on the paved surface. The aircraft drifted off the taxiway, collided with a light, and eventually came to a stop with its tail positioned over the taxiway.
There were no injuries to the pilot, and the aircraft sustained damage to the left main landing gear, the propeller, and the wing tip.
The investigation
The investigation examined the environmental and mechanical factors present during the taxiing maneuver. The aircraft's steering mechanism, which relies on differential braking, was evaluated alongside the physical characteristics of the taxiway. The investigation established that the pilot was attempting to follow the centerline when the braking action proved insufficient to maintain control of the aircraft's path.