What happened
On December 10, 2014, at approximately 10:00 LT, a Cessna 182 (registration CX-BLW) was involved in a ground incident at Ángel S. Adami International Airport. The flight was part of a scheduled pilot evaluation intended to secure a commercial pilot license.
After a successful pre-flight inspection and weather verification, the aircraft taxied from the Institute of Aeronautical Training (IAA) toward runway 19 via taxiways D and B. While traversing taxiway B, approximately 8/0 meters from the runway 19 holding point, the aircraft unexpectedly veered to the right of its intended path. Both the pilot being evaluated and the evaluating pilot attempted to correct the course, but the deviation continued. To prevent further excursion, the evaluating pilot shut down the engine, causing the aircraft to come to a halt on soft ground outside the taxiway.
The investigation
The CIAIA examined the event and the aircraft's condition following the excursion. There were no injuries and no damage to the aircraft, as the propeller did not make contact with the ground. Following the incident, maintenance personnel moved the aircraft to a firmer surface.
A subsequent inspection of the aircraft, including the right wheel fairing and the braking system, revealed no mechanical abnormalities. The wheels were found to rotate freely, and the braking system functioned correctly during subsequent taxiing maneuvers back to the IAA platform and eventually to the maintenance workshop. The investigation noted that the aircraft was moved through irregular terrain back to taxiway D, where further visual inspections were performed.
Findings
- The aircraft veered off the taxiway while taxiing toward the runway holding point.
- The presence of a foreign object caught by the wheel is the suspected cause of the unintended braking/deviation.
- A detailed investigation into the specific object was not possible due to a lack of physical evidence at the scene.